Petak Central District Councillor Emmanuel Jay Banda escapes legal custody

Petake Central MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, who was facing aggravated robbery charges, has escaped from lawful custody. This was announced by Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwimbu at a press conference.

Mr Banda escaped from the Chipata General Hospital where he was receiving treatment at around 22:00 on Sunday night.

“I want to inform the nation that at about 22:00 in the evening, the MP for Petawuke Central, Jay Banda, who was detained at Chipata Correctional Facility, escaped from lawful custody,” Mr Mwimbu said.

The jailbreak took place despite being guarded by two Zambian policemen and three Zambian Correctional Services officers. Preliminary investigations revealed that Mr Banda escaped through the window of the ward where he was being treated. “He escaped from lawful custody by using the window of the hospital; how he did it is still under investigation,” added Mr Mwimbu.

Mr Banda was being sent to the High Court for trial for aggravated robbery, a non-bailable offence, and was being held at the Zambia Correctional Services when he escaped.

Mr Mwimbu called on local and international security agencies to ensure that Mr Banda has no safe haven, stressing the need to keep him safe and alive. “We call on local and international security agencies to ensure that there is no safe haven for the fugitive,” he said.

Action has been taken against the officers who were guarding Mr Banda and five officers are now in police custody to assist in the investigation. Mr Mwimbu described the jailbreak as an unfortunate incident and assured that due process of law would be followed.

Police Inspector General Grafel Musamba called on the public to come forward with any information on Mr Banda’s whereabouts and encouraged people to report freely to the police. Zambia’s Correctional Services Commissioner Frederick Chilukutu attributed the escape to negligence by officers on duty.

Police have launched a manhunt for Mr Banda, who allegedly jumped from a window of the third floor senior ward at Chipata Central Hospital. He is being held at Namuseche prison in Chipata awaiting a High Court hearing on his aggravated robbery and attempted robbery case.