By JOHN SAKALA
The Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kangnja is annoyed that the ruling Patriotic Front Eastern Province Youth Chairperson Emmanuel Banda has mounted a procession when entering Chipata.
Mr Kanganja said Mr Banda popularly known as Jay Jay had proceeded to Eastern Province where he staged an unlawful procession which is against provisions of the Public Order Act.
“I have therefore directed the Eastern Province Police Commissioner to arrest the said Banda as he did not notify the police. I wish to reassure members of the public that the Zambia Police shall not favour any individual based on political affiliation, race or status in society in execution of duty as our mandate demands that we enforce the law fairly.
“I have also noted concerns from members of the public questioning the charge given to Emmanuel Jay Banda also known as Jay Jay by police. On July 6, 2020, Emmanuel Jay Banda in the company of other people are alleged to have attacked a police officer who was on duty at Lusaka Central Police Station. Following the attack, police managed to apprehend four suspects identified as John Lungu, Maxwell Pito, Leyford Phiri and Maurice Siluonde while Emmanuel Banda who was the master minder escaped,” he said.
He said police launched a manhunt for Banda until yesterday, August 19, 2020 when he handed himself to police at Lusaka Central Police.
The IG said during the time when Jay Jay was on the run, police had compiled a docket of aggravated robbery and forwarded it to National Prosecution Authority (NPA) which is a procedural requirement and the advice from NPA was that the matter lacked enough evidence to stand for aggravated robbery hence advised that the charge be reduced to aggravated assault with intent to steal.
