Jay Jay Banda Escapes From Police Custody

Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanual ‘Jay Jay’ Banda has escaped from the Chipata Central Hospital where he was being held in custody. Police are appealing to the public for information regarding his whereabouts.

Zambia Correctional Service Commissioner General Frederick Chilukutu has told reporters that Mr Banda likely jumped out of the window of his third floor ward on Sunday night. He has blamed correctional officers for their negligence in guarding the Independent MP.

Police have launched a nationwide manhunt for Mr Banda, who was being held ahead of his appearance at the High Court on charges of aggravated robbery and attempted robbery.

He 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.