Fugitive Zambian MP nabbed in Zim – Newsday Zimbabwe

Emmanuel Jay Banda

A ZAMBIAN lawmaker who allegedly escaped from a hospital in August this year has been apprehended by Zimbabwean police after being on the run for more than three months.

In a statement yesterday, Zambia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu, said Emmanuel Jay Banda, who escaped from legal custody in Zambia, has been arrested in Zimbabwe.

The Zambian government in August this year offered a two million kwacha reward for information on the whereabouts of the Petauke Central (independent) MP after his disappearance.

The gang, who were facing charges of aggravated robbery, attempted murder and escape from legal custody, claimed authorities at the Chipata General Hospital on August 4 this year.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security wishes to inform the public that Honorable Emmanuel Jay Banda, who escaped from legal custody at Chipata General Hospital on the night of August 4, 2024, has been apprehended in Zimbabwe,” Mwiimbu said.

“Subsequent information after his escape indicated that Hon Banda was renting an apartment in Harare, Zimbabwe. This information was promptly communicated to the relevant authorities in Zimbabwe who, through their cooperation, succeeded in apprehending Hon Banda on 19 November 2024 at around 1000 hours.”

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security applauded the Zimbabwean authorities for their swift cooperation in apprehending the fugitive lawmaker.

Banda was on trial in the High Court for aggravated robbery, a non-bailable offence, and was in the custody of the Zambia Correctional Service at the time of his escape.

He escaped from Chipata General Hospital where he received medical attention despite being guarded by two policemen and three officers from the Zambia Correctional Service.

According to media reports, Banda’s disappearance sparked arrests, charges 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 earlier this year revealed his disappearance in Lusaka, saying he was found lying on the kitchen threshold of a farm, claiming he was dumped by unknown persons a few meters from the farm.

He was later flown to Lusaka and admitted to the 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 charged her with seditious practices.

Independent MP Munir Zulu was also arrested for hate speech and Maureen Mabonga of the Patriotic Front for both hate speech and sedition charges.

There was also speculation that Banda may have faked the kidnapping for political mileage.

His lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota, claimed that police forcibly took the lawmaker to the Maina Soko Military Hospital against the wishes of his family.

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