By Staff Reporter
Former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba says there are second diversionary tactics by those in government over the abduction of Petauke-Central member of parliament Emmanuel Banda.
Speaking yesterday, Mwamba urged President Hakainde Hichilema to call for an independent inquiry into the abduction, as opposed to trying to divert attention by charging Banda for attempted murder over the same case that was already disposed of in the courts of law in 2019.
Mwamba wondered how some State House officials were responding when Banda’s lawyer Sakwiba Sikota had not mentioned the same officials said to have been mentioned in the abduction.
He also wondered how Banda’s family could call for his arrest as it was being alleged in some quarters when the same family members have been speaking through the PF media.
He said Sikota was in the room where Banda mentioned to the police the people behind his abduction, saying the only way out was for the President to set up an independent inquiry.
“These are diversionary tactics, let’s not fall for them. There is a second diversionary tactic that is going on,” Mwamba said. “That’s why they didn’t want to do any test at a private clinic.”
And in a statement posted to his Facebook page, Mwamba stated that Banda was discharged from Maina Soko Medical Centre and was immediately whisked away by the Police in an apparent illegal detention, and that police refused the emotional plea from the family or lawyer to allow Banda to be allowed to recuperate for a few days.
“Although Hon. Sikota has not disclosed the names of the two State House officials … has immediately denied involvement … I guess it’s the case of “Imbila ya mushi, tabayasukila!” Mwamba argued. “Despite this credible information from the lawyer who was present during interrogations, Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma has claimed that Hon. Emmanuel Banda did not name or disclose the details of his abductors- another clear deception. Looking at the conduct of the State in this matter where the Police forcibly abducted JayJay Banda from Medlands Medical Facility and were inhumane to literally abduct JayJay shortly after his discharge from Maina Soko, it is clear that Hon. Sakwiba Sikota is telling the Truth.”
He stated that the state now wanted to charge Banda for “a fictitious criminal offence apparently emanating from 2019, to ensure that he is incarcerated without bond or bail.”
“Further, official statements have only gone to cement the perception that the crisis is a State abduction or UPND abduction or a combination of both. Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said this was an apparent suicide with a suicide note found; ‘Sorry Zambians’ and Ministry of Information and Media, Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana,claimed JayJay was very fine but Kawana seemed obsessed with the issue that JayJay has 3 wives, a matter he has publicly spoken about,” stated Mwamba. “The abduction of Hon. JayJay Banda is such a serious crime that it has potential to permanently discredit the Government of President Hakainde Hichilema….it should therefore be treated as important. Before any formal investigations or details emerged, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu claimed ‘Government was not involved in any way in Hon. Banda’s abduction’! How could he determine this at such a premature stage?”
Efforts to get a comment from those at State House failed as their line went unanswered.
