The reality on the ground is that Honourable Emmanuel Banda is no longer in custody; he was briefly detained by the Zimbabwean Police before being released.
Lusaka, Nov. 21 [ZWB] – Yesterday, a flurry of inquiries reached us seeking confirmation on whether Petauke Central Independent Member of Parliament (MP), Emmanuel Jay Banda, was in police custody in Zimbabwe awaiting extradition to Zambia, as claimed by Zambia’s Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu.
Also Read: Arrest Kawana and Matembo for Subverting the Law in the Abduction and Torture Case. Their attempt to persuade Hon. Banda to exonerate the named abductors is as heinous as Hon. Banda’s criminal abduction and torture.
Here’s what we have uncovered from reliable contacts both within Zambia and across the region.
◾The Arrest: Fact or Misstep?
Our investigations reveal that Mr. Banda may have been careless in his communications with friends and family in Zambia. This reportedly allowed the Zambia Police to collaborate with their Zimbabwean counterparts, leading to Mr. Banda’s arrest. He was apprehended alongside his Zimbabwean trainer at a gym in Harare. Accounts state that Mr. Banda was shackled at the legs and handcuffed before being taken to a Harare police station.
At the station, however, the Zimbabwean trainer was promptly released and alerted Mr. Banda’s associates about the incident. Shortly after, human rights defenders intervened, presenting documents to the Zimbabwean authorities confirming that Mr. Banda was in Zimbabwe on humanitarian grounds due to persecution in Zambia. The documents also established that his presence in Zimbabwe was sanctioned by the state. Following this, Mr. Banda was released from custody.
◾Current Status: Free in Zimbabwe
As it stands, Honourable Emmanuel Jay Banda is neither under Zimbabwean nor Zambian custody. Any expectations of seeing him paraded as a captured fugitive are misplaced. For his safety, further details about his location remain confidential.
◾The Bigger Picture: Rights or Retribution?
This incident raises serious questions about the motives behind the Zambian government’s actions. Journalists and human rights defenders alike are asking: Why has the Zambia Police refused to investigate Mr. Banda’s alleged abduction while reviving old cases against him?
Furthermore, the public must grapple with an unsettling question: Why celebrate the arrest of a citizen whose rights are being violated by his own government? Such celebrations only underscore the deep-seated divisions and animosities within the nation.
◾A Call for Answers
We urge all patriotic Zambians to demand clarity from the government of President Hakainde Hichilema: Who abducted Emmanuel Jay Banda, and why is the police force unwilling to investigate this abduction?
As the saga unfolds, we will continue to provide updates. For now, let this serve as a reminder of the pressing need to uphold justice and human rights in our nation, even amid political turbulence.
Also Read: The Zambia Police should immediately arrest the alleged abductors of Hon. Banda! “We reiterate our statement and assert that it contains nothing false, untrue or defamatory. We call on the Zambia Police to take immediate action and apprehend the alleged abductors.” – PeP.
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