Banda's Wife Arrested for Aiding Escape

The wife of the disgraced Petauke Central Member of Parliament, Emmanuel ‘JJ’ Banda, has been arrested on suspicion of helping her husband to flee police custody.

Lombe Chali was arrested on Friday and charged with helping her husband to escape lawful detention at Chipata Central Hospital on Sunday 4th August.

Police have also arrested two police officers and three prison wardens who are similarly suspected of aiding and abetting Mr Banda’s escape. The officers have been named as Phineas Mfungwe , Benson Kabole  , Moses Sakala , Nathan Mbao and Musa Spider Zulu.

All five officers and Mrs Chali have been released on police bail and are due to appear in court soon.

Mr Banda was being held at the hospital ahead of his appearance at the High Court on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted robbery. His escape has prompted a nationwide manhunt but police have so far not given any indication as to his whereabouts.

The Independent MP was arrested in June after allegedly stealing property and cash worth K12,000 from a Mr Peter Sukwa Muchlenga in December 2015. It’s the latest twist in Mr Banda’s tale after he was reportedly kidnapped in Lusaka in May and dumped outside a farmhouse. His kidnappers’ identities remain unknown.

Police say they are working hard to locate Mr Banda and bring him to justice.