A Zambian legislator who was a fugitive with a bounty on his head has been apprehended in Zimbabwe, according to Zambian officials. Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who faced robbery charges, is alleged to have escaped from confinement in August while awaiting his court appearance.
Reports indicate that he escaped from Chipata Central Hospital in Eastern Province, where he had been taken after his arrest and was under police and prison officer supervision. Following his escape, the police announced a bounty of 2 million Zambian kwacha ($72,000) for information leading to his capture.
He denies the robbery allegations.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, the Zambian Home Affairs minister announced that the MP was detained earlier this week in Harare. Jack Mwiimbu said that Zimbabwean police arrested the MP at a rented apartment and that he would stay there while extradition processes are initiated.
He expressed the government’s interest in uncovering who aided the MP’s escape and facilitated visits to Harare from his wife. Mwiimbu expressed gratitude to the authorities in Zimbabwe for their assistance.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party, led by former President Edgar Lungu, criticised what they described as a “concerning and emerging situation.”
Banda, an independent MP since 2021, was previously linked to Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema that same year.
PF spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba labelled the situation as “an abduction,” urging the government to adhere to “internationally recognized extradition protocols.”
He requested that the Zambian government refrain from following the example of other African nations that have been known to capture citizens from other countries for alleged crimes.
The home affairs minister countered claims that the charges were politically motivated, stressing that they predate Banda’s tenure as an MP.
On Thursday, Zambian police announced that Interpol in Harare confirmed Banda’s custody and had requested the necessary extradition paperwork.
