Zambian presidency defends arrest of former MP Jay Banda
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Mwebantu
Zambian citizens and the presidency are defending the arrest of former MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, saying he must answer to justice over allegations of inciting violence. The Zambian presidency says he will have access to medical care, a lawyer and his family, and that proceedings will respect the Constitution, Mwebantu reports.
The Zambian presidency is defending the arrest of former MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, saying he will face justice and receive medical care, access to a lawyer and his family, as well as the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Clayson Hamasaka, communications officer at State House, said justice would be served in accordance with the law, Mwebantu reports.
Hamasaka was responding to civil society organisations that had requested explanations for the arrest. He disputed their criticism, saying they were reaching conclusions before the facts had been established. Citizens quoted by Mwebantu also defended the arrest, judging that Banda’s alleged calls to assassinate the head of state and destroy an ethnic group did not fall under freedom of expression.
The controversy follows Banda’s transfer from Mozambique, carried out by Zambian special forces on 16 October. The NGOs calling for explanations over Jay Banda’s arrest had called for an investigation into the circumstances of the operation.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
