Fugitive MP Emmanuel Banda Apprehended in Zimbabwe

Police in Harare have apprehended the Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel ‘Jay Jay’ Banda, who escaped from police custody at Chipata Central Hospital in August.

Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu told a press conference in Lusaka that Zimbabwean authorities followed credible intelligence to a flat Mr Banda had been renting in Harare. He was arrested on Tuesday morning and is currently being held at a police station in the capital city.

Arrangements are being made to transport the fugitive MP back to Zambia where he will stand trial at the Lusaka High Court for charges including aggravated robbery, attempted murder, and escaping lawful custody.

“The Zambian people will soon known who assisted Hon. Band in evading justice,” Mr Mwiimbu said. He added that Mr Banda had not given himself up willingly to authorities, countering online speculation that the MP had surrendered himself to police after the Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti said he had seven days to do so or risk losing his parliamentary seat.   

Mr Banda has been the subject of intense media focus in recent months after he was arrested in June on charges of stealing property and cash worth K12,000 from Peter Sukwa Mulenga in December 2015.

He was subsequently detained at Chipata Central Hospital before escaping on Sunday 4 August. Two police officers and three prison wardens have been arrested on suspicion of assisting his escape.