Emmanuel JJ Banda appears after rumours of capture

53 Views Exiled former Petauke lawmaker Emmanuel JJ Banda has resurfaced after rumours that he had been captured by the Zambian government went viral on Wednesday evening. Several social media platforms reported receiving information that Banda, who has been highly critical of President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration, had allegedly been captured. The speculation was […]

53 Views

Emmanuel Banda

Trevor Mwiinde

Exiled former Petauke lawmaker Emmanuel JJ Banda has resurfaced after rumours that he had been captured by the Zambian government went viral on Wednesday evening.

Several social media platforms reported receiving information that Banda, who has been highly critical of President Hakainde Hichilema and his administration, had allegedly been captured.

The speculation was fueled by Banda’s absence from social media. The former lawmaker had been going live on Facebook almost every day, particularly during the height of the election campaigns and the August 13 general election, but had not posted or gone live for two days.

The rumours gained further traction following earlier remarks by UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson Trevor Mwiinde, who warned that the authorities would eventually find Banda wherever he was.

“JJ whether you are underwater, in hills or mountains wherever you are we shall get you and bring you back here,” Mwiinde said during a live television programme.

Mwiinde, who Banda has accused of being linked to his alleged abduction, said he had known Banda since they first interacted in business around 2016.

Against this background, Banda’s sudden silence appeared to lend some credence to the capture rumours.

But on Thursday at about 22:00 CAT, Banda went live on his Facebook page, attracting more than 16,000 viewers, and appeared to laugh off the reports of his alleged capture.

He opened the broadcast with a gospel song before inviting someone to lead a prayer.

Banda said he had gone live primarily to reassure his supporters that he had not been captured and explained that he had been spending time in prayer in the mountains.

He said he was seeking God’s guidance on what he described as the destiny of the country following what he considers to have been a stolen election.

Banda said he had previously believed that the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, led in the presidential election by Brian Mundubile, would win the election and that, following what he described as the theft of that victory, he was now seeking divine guidance on what should happen next.

He said the prayers were progressing well and that he would soon come out to address the nation.

Banda has also declared himself acting president of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance following the detention of its leaders, including Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, who have been charged with treason.

He appealed for calm among his supporters and urged them to pray for those in detention.

Banda also had a message for UPND Lusaka Province chairman Obvious Mwaliteta, whom he described as someone who knew him from a family perspective.

He asked Mwaliteta to stay away from what he described as the political battle, saying he did not want to confront him.

Banda also dismissed Mwiinde, saying he was “far below my level” and claiming that Mwiinde had never done business with him but had instead worked as a “chola-boy” for the late Reaves Malambo, whom Banda described as his business associate.

He said he would address the various issues after completing his period of prayer.

Banda has been wanted by Zambian authorities since he escaped from police custody under unclear circumstances several months ago while receiving treatment at a hospital in Chipata.

He subsequently indicated that he had fled the country and entered Zimbabwe.

Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu later announced that Banda had been captured, but the reported capture did not materialise.

The government subsequently offered a K2 million reward for information leading to his capture.

Months later, Banda resurfaced on Facebook and said he was in Portugal. During the broadcast, he detailed what he described as his abduction and alleged that he had been taken to a place he referred to as a shrine.

He described his survival as a miracle from God and began referring to himself as “Miracle Emmanuel JJ Banda.”

He later left Europe for Asia.

His exact whereabouts remain unknown, although he continues to address his supporters through live broadcasts on Facebook.

Banda’s continued criticism of President Hichilema and the UPND government has made him a target of calls from ruling party supporters and state authorities for his arrest and return to Zambia.