Jay Jay not in our custody – Zim Police

By MUKWIMA CHILALA

ZIMBABWE has denied reports and assertions that Emmanuel Jay Banda was apprehended in that country and that the Peteuke law maker is awaiting formalization of extradition protocols to bring back the Mr Banda.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has denied any knowledge of the arrest of opposition of Jay Jay Banda, the Petauke Central Independent Member of Parliament, who in August mysteriously disappeared after surviving a brutal abduction and eventual arrest and detention over matters that happened about a decade ago.
On Wednesday, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, Jack Mwiimbu, announced during a media briefing in Lusaka that Banda had been apprehended in Zimbabwe with the assistance of the Zimbabwean police.
However, Zimbabwe National Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told Millennium Radio that the police had no information regarding the arrest of the Petauke lawmaker. Mr Nyathi said the police have not received any reports about Banda being in their custody and that there had never been communication between the Zambia Police and the Zimbabwe police over the alleged arrest of the Petauke MP.
Mr Nyathi was responding to a press query from Millennium Radio who wanted to establish whether the Petauke lawmaker was in its custody.
Independent sources have also confirmed to Millennium Radio that Mr Banda was not in the custody of either Zimbabwean or Zambian authorities.
And yesterday, Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba issued a long statement explaning how the Interpol here in Zambia and Zimbabwe collaborated in tracing the whereabout of Jay Jay Banda.
Mr Musamba said Interpol in Harare, Zimbabwe and Zambia had closely collaborated in tracing Mr Banda and that the two institutions had managed to apprehend Mr Banda after his photograph was submitted to Interpol Zimbabwe for identification.
“After verification, the individual in the photograph was positively identified as Mr. Banda, and a Warrant of Arrest was sent to Interpol Harare. Subsequently Harare advised that the original Warrant of Arrest be forwarded through diplomatic channels,” Mr Musamba said.
The police chief said on November 12, 2024, the original Warrant of Arrest was transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for onward delivery to Zimbabwe and on November 19, 2024, Mr. Timothy Chimutanga, the Deputy Officer in Charge at Interpol, Harare, informed Interpol Lusaka that Mr. Banda was in their custody.
Mr Musamba said the police in Zimbabwe requested the expedited preparation of extradition documents through diplomatic channels.
He said during the discussion, Mr. Chimutanga revealed that during a preliminary interview, Mr. Banda denied the charges, alleging he was being targeted due to his familial ties with a former Zambian President, Mr. Edgar Lungu.