In a press statement delivered on June 1, 2024, Acting Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, provided updates on recent developments involving Honourable Jay Banda and the situation at Chipata Football Grounds in Mandevu Constituency.
Update on Honourable Jay Banda
Minister Lufuma addressed the recent discharge of Honourable Jay Banda from Maina Soko Medical Centre on May 31, 2024. Following his discharge, Honourable Banda was invited to the Zambia Police Service Headquarters for an interview, where he was accorded all the privileges of a witness, including the presence of his legal counsel, Mr. Sakwiba Sikota.
The interview focused on Honourable Banda’s disappearance on May 25, 2024. However, Honourable Banda was unable to provide the police with any information regarding the circumstances of his disappearance.
After the interview, Honourable Banda was escorted to the police station concerning other ongoing investigations. He was booked for detention related to alleged offences of attempted murder and assault that occurred in 2016 in Vumbwi, Eastern Province. During the booking process, Honourable Banda developed a medical condition necessitating his immediate readmission to Maina Soko Medical Centre, where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Minister Lufuma emphasized that Honourable Banda has not been formally charged for the alleged offences at this time. The police are continuing their active investigation into both his disappearance and the allegations from 2016. The government is committed to ensuring due process is followed, and that Honourable Banda receives all necessary medical care and legal rights during this period.
Situation at Chipata Football Grounds
Minister Lufuma also provided an update regarding the events at Chipata Football Grounds in Mandevu Constituency. The opposition New Heritage Party (NHP) had been advised not to hold a political rally on June 1, 2024, due to security concerns. Despite this advice, the NHP attempted to proceed with their planned event.
To uphold the rule of law and maintain public order, police personnel were deployed to the area in the morning. At approximately 11:00 hours, an individual approached the football grounds to observe the situation and was confronted by a uniformed officer, leading to a misunderstanding. This misunderstanding resulted in other individuals, under the false impression that their colleague had been arrested, beginning to march towards the football grounds.
The police promptly intervened, advising these individuals to return to Chipata Compound. Minister Lufuma reported that no serious incidents had occurred related to this matter. He reiterated that the Zambia Police Service supports the democratic rights of all political parties and citizens to assemble and express their views, provided these activities are within the bounds of the law. Any actions that potentially endanger public safety or disrupt societal harmony will face necessary regulatory measures.
The Zambia Police Service remains committed to ensuring public safety and upholding the law. They continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take necessary actions to prevent any escalation.
Minister Lufuma appealed to all political parties and their supporters to respect the law and follow proper procedures for organizing public gatherings. Cooperation with law enforcement authorities is crucial in maintaining peace and order within communities.
Minister Lufuma thanked the public for their attention and understanding as the government continues to monitor and address these situations with the seriousness they warrant.
Very shameful. I repeat what I said last time, it seems the nation isn’t in safe hands.
I saw his video, he looked and sounded like fuuuul.
I feel embarrassed and angry being a Zambian. For how long will police refuse a rally for opposition citing lack of manpower but are quick to send the same police to prevent said rally?
About the JJ issue, the lack of sensitivity on the part of the police is stunning. His disappearance saw tribal tirades from nearly every province. They ‘rescued’ him and forcibly took him to Maina Soko (a fortress of a hospital) and denied him family and legal rights.
Why haven’t they informed us of the details of his alleged attempted murder from 2016?
@Uncle Spider, the guilty are afraid. They’re trying to revive a murder case that was settled long ago but have failed to tell us who kidnapped Jay Jay. His lawyer has told us who the culprits are, hence the behavior of the police. The nation is in the hands of those scared about the prospect of losing power in 2026. Brace for hard times, perhaps worse than we’ve ever witnessed
What a load of speculation
when the truth comes out you will all keep quiet !!
this is not a straight forward case
1. Statements from Sakwiba Sikota, the chair of UKA, should be approached with skepticism. As a political figure, his comments are often intended to undermine the government and HH. Recall the incident where he presented the Jay Jay Sisters, claiming Jay Jay was injured and in poor health, only to later visit Jay Jay at Maina Soko and contradict himself by confirming there were no wounds.
Sakwiba Sikota is compounding the problem by turning the case into a political “football.” You can’t seize every opportunity to discredit govt, no matter how desperate you are. We have had enough of the soap opera, when will it end? Mind you gravity has no mercy.
2. The phrase “Umulandu taubola” suggests that issues from the past remain unresolved. Considering who was in power in 2016, it’s important to trust the police’s actions, as perpetual distrust can never lead to trustworth Police regardless who is in power.
3. It is detrimental for Zambia to be in a constant state of campaigning. With 46 registered political parties, allowing each to act without restraint could lead to chaos.
It is well known the police are the most corrupt of all GRZ departments
and not even the president can change that attitude
To change the Police it will need a REVOLUTION. The blood that runs the Police force is Corruption
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Aha..aha……Now JJ is not talking who from the UPND GRZ kidnapped him …….?????
They all planned to hold press comferences promoting tribal division at different times………
This is so much like the bwengwa kidnapping of PF GRZ journalists by so called highly trained UPND comandos……..or the UPND solicting for importing arms into the country……..
One does not fail to notice that The common denominator in all this is one none other than…….
Lungu……..
He did you tribalist. And ZO and other media have revealed the abductors as Clayson Hamasaka, Levy Ngoma, and Trevor Mwiinde. Go ask his lawyer Sakwiba Sikota.
Government full of exculpatory explanations everyday. It’s disappointing that PF has just chameleoned from green to red. Let’s just recall Welensky to take over where he left.
At Last a sensible solution
WELENSKY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#Tikki to tell you the truth I am tired of our people. Nothing seems to be working except political fights.
That is why at the begining we told you ……..
Lets all support the elected president, atleast for the first 3 years…….
But you dirty tribal suremacists would not accept a tonga president…….
Now look what you created……
# Spaka you are just a village tout who only saw town after grade twelve. We’re not talking about a Tonga president we are talking about a bad president who is a Zambian.
I’m not surprised that your youths would insult Lungu the way they did and the police just looked on.
HH should not concentrate on Lungu… FTJ concentrated on trying to finish off Kenneth Kaunda and he ended in finishing himself instead.
I fully agree with you I too am fedup !!! no one has the country at heart
All got their own personal agenda which appears to be financial based
And I beginning to think HH is chasing his own tail
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Wow………
Look at the number one tribal supremacist on LT ……….
complaining about no one having heart for the country……..
But the same pompwes would not accept a tonga president from day one……….
Now when it is too late , ati no one has heart for the country……..
take off your rose coloured glasses !!
There is such a thiung as CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Ive supported this GRZ from day one but things are starting to fall apart
Police, Judiciary, ZESCO
HH appears to be giving the dual carriage way more time than it deserves.
ZESCO IS OUR DESTROYER
Spaka is the number one tribalist-PERIOD
Just like PF were refusing opposition to hold rallies during their time hence the vote of discontent by the people the same thing will happen to upnd if they continue behaving like PF. Learn from history.