A ZAMBIAN legislator, who reportedly escaped from a hospital in August this year, has been apprehended by Zimbabwean police after having been on the run for more than three months.
In a statement yesterday, Zambia’s Home Affairs and Internal Security minister Jack Mwiimbu said Emmanuel Jay Banda, who escaped from lawful custody in Zambia, was arrested in Zimbabwe.
The Zambian government in August this year offered a two million kwacha reward for information on the whereabouts of Petauke Central lawmaker (Independent) after his disappearance.
Banda, who was facing charges of aggravated robbery, attempted murder and escape from lawful custody, evaded authorities from Chipata General Hospital on August 4 this year.
“The Home Affairs and Internal Security ministry wishes to inform the public that Honourable Emmanuel Jay Banda, who escaped from lawful custody at Chipata General Hospital on the night of August 4, 2024, has been apprehended in Zimbabwe,” Mwiimbu said.
“Subsequent information following his escape indicated that Hon Banda was renting a flat in Harare, Zimbabwe. This information was promptly communicated to the relevant Zimbabwean authorities, who, through their co-operation, managed to apprehend Hon Banda on November 19, 2024 at around 1000 hours.”
The Home Affairs and Internal Security minister applauded the Zimbabwean authorities for their swift co-operation in apprehending the fugitive legislator.
Banda was on trial at the High Court for aggravated robbery, a non-bailable offence and was under the custody of the Zambia Correctional Service at the time of his escape.
- Fugitive Zambian MP apprehended in Zim
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He escaped from Chipata General Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment despite being guarded by two police officers and three officers from the Zambia Correctional Service.
According to media reports, Banda’s disappearance sparked arrests, accusations and a closely-watched police investigation.
Banda has been an MP since 2021 and is close to former President Edgar Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema that year.
The opposition Patriotic Front early this year revealed his disappearance in Lusaka saying he was found lying on the kitchen doorstep of a farmhouse, claiming to have been dumped by unknown persons a few metres from the farm.
He was later transported to Lusaka and admitted to Maina Soko Military Hospital.
Zambian police arrested Edith Nawakwi, leader of the opposition Forum for Development and Democracy party and civil rights activist Brebner Changala, after Banda’s disappearance and were charged with seditious practices.
Independent MP Munir Zulu was also arrested for hate speech and the Patriotic Front’s Maureen Mabonga on both hate speech and sedition charges.
There was also speculation that Banda could have faked abduction for political mileage.
His lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota, alleged that the police forcibly took the lawmaker to Maina Soko Military Hospital against his family’s wishes.
