Fugitive Zambian MP arrested in Zimbabwe – minister

A Zambian lawmaker, Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who had been a fugitive since escaping custody in August, has been arrested in Zimbabwe. Banda, an independent Member of Parliament (MP), is facing robbery charges and was reportedly caught in Harare, where he had been staying in a rented flat. His arrest was confirmed by the Zambian Minister for Home Affairs, Jack Mwiimbu, during a press conference on Wednesday. Mwiimbu expressed gratitude to Zimbabwean authorities for their cooperation, stating that Banda would remain in Zimbabwe until extradition proceedings are completed.

Banda’s escape occurred earlier this year while he was under guard at Chipata Central Hospital in Eastern Province, Zambia. He had been admitted to the hospital following his arrest, but in a dramatic escape, he managed to flee through a hospital window despite being guarded by both police and prison officers. The Zambian government responded by offering a 2 million Zambian kwacha (approximately $72,000) bounty for his capture.

Banda denies the charges of aggravated robbery, which stem from an incident in 2015 involving the theft of property worth 12,000 kwacha ($430). He faces additional charges related to his escape from custody. Following his arrest in Zimbabwe, Banda, in an initial interview with Interpol, denied the robbery charges, suggesting that he was being targeted because of his familial ties to former Zambian President Edgar Lungu. The Zambian police have since requested clarification from Interpol regarding these allegations.

This development comes amid growing political tensions in Zambia. Banda had been an independent MP since 2021, though he was previously aligned with Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) party. Lungu lost the presidency to current President Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, and the PF has been critical of the government’s actions against former party members. The PF, in particular, has condemned Banda’s arrest as part of what they perceive as a political targeting of individuals associated with Lungu’s leadership.

Emmanuel Mwamba, a spokesperson for the PF, called the arrest an “abduction” and expressed concern over the government bypassing international extradition protocols. Mwamba stressed that the Zambian government should follow proper legal channels when seeking the extradition of citizens and should avoid actions that could be seen as unlawful or politically motivated. He also claimed that the robbery charges against Banda were fabricated and designed to prevent him from speaking out about the alleged abduction that occurred earlier this year.

Banda had previously been reported missing in May 2023 under unclear circumstances, only to resurface the following day and claim that he had been abducted. The incident led to the arrest of several opposition figures and civil rights activists, including Edith Nawakwi, leader of the Forum for Development and Democracy party, and Brebner Changala, a prominent civil rights advocate. Both Nawakwi and Changala accused the Zambian state of being behind the abduction, although the Zambian government denied these allegations.

Despite claims that Banda’s abduction was staged, which his family vehemently denied, the situation added further controversy to his legal troubles. Banda was eventually charged in June 2023 with aggravated robbery related to a 2015 case, and his escape from custody became a focal point of the investigation.

The arrest in Zimbabwe has brought attention back to the political backdrop surrounding Banda’s case. Critics argue that the charges against him are politically motivated, stemming from his association with Lungu’s government. Banda’s supporters claim that the charges are part of a broader effort by the current administration to silence opponents and prevent them from speaking out against the government.

Zambian authorities are now in the process of preparing the necessary extradition documents to send Banda back to Zambia. The country’s police force has confirmed that they are working with Interpol to ensure the smooth handling of the extradition process. As the legal proceedings unfold, Banda’s case continues to stir political debate and raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the legal process in Zambia.

While the Zambian government focuses on finalizing the extradition, the arrest of the fugitive MP marks a significant turn in what has been a highly charged and politically sensitive case. As the country moves forward with legal action, Banda’s fate will likely remain a point of contention among his supporters, critics, and the broader public.