🇿🇲 BRIEFING | PF Demands Action Against Jay Jay Banda as Civil Society Questions Capture
Patriotic Front official Edwin Lifwekelo has called for former Petauke Central MP Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda to face the law over alleged insults and threats against President Hakainde Hichilema, as 24 civil society organisations question the legality of his capture in Mozambique.
Lifwekelo, the PF secretary general for administration, said freedom of expression could not justify threats against the Head of State, warning that such conduct threatened national peace and security.
He also demanded accountability for anyone found to have financed or assisted Banda’s activities and commended security agencies involved in his capture.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Zambian and regional civil society organisations, including the LCK Freedom Foundation, has condemned Banda’s vulgar broadcasts while demanding answers from the Zambian and Mozambican governments.
“We do not condone the language Mr Banda has used in his online videos; it is vulgar, and parts of it may well be criminal in nature,” the organisations said.
But they insisted that criminal allegations must be pursued through lawful procedures.
“You cannot condemn criminality on the one hand and refuse to respect the law in purporting to enforce it on the other hand.”
The coalition questioned whether Banda was afforded an opportunity to challenge his transfer from Mozambique and called for clarification over his reported condition in custody.
The intervention follows Amnesty International’s earlier demands for transparency surrounding Banda’s capture, which has triggered sharp exchanges between human rights advocates and government supporters.
Police confirmed on Friday that Banda had been apprehended and was in Zambia awaiting formal arrest and charges.
– The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu
October 20, 2026