Where is Hon. JJ Banda? The Question on Every Zambian’s Mind
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
The nation is in a state of disbelief. The Speaker of the National Assembly is reportedly preparing to declare the Petauke Parliamentary seat vacant if Hon. JJ Banda, the Member of Parliament for the area, does not report to Parliament within seven days. But let us be clear: this is not just about parliamentary attendance; this is about justice, transparency, and accountability.
How can Hon. JJ Banda report to the House when he was arrested and has since disappeared under the custody of law enforcement agencies? This is not merely an issue for Petauke—it is a matter of national importance.
We demand answers. The police, the government, and all relevant authorities must explain to the people of Petauke—and the entire nation—where Hon. JJ Banda is.
The Arrest and Mysterious Disappearance
Hon. JJ Banda was reportedly arrested and placed under the custody of law enforcement agencies. The last time the public received any information about his whereabouts was when he was admitted to the hospital under the full guard of law enforcement officers and thereafter his disappearance.
Since then, there has been nothing but silence. No credible updates. No explanation. And now, there are whispers that Hon. Banda is “on the run.”
We will not accept this narrative. How can someone under police guard in a hospital escape without any explanation or evidence? The Zambian people demand clarity, not excuses.
The police must tell us the truth:
1. Where is Hon. JJ Banda?
2. What happened to him whilst in hospital that led to his disappearance?
3. Why has there been no communication from law enforcement agencies?
The only fact we know is that Hon. Banda was in police custody. His disappearance is highly suspicious, and the lack of transparency raises serious questions about the integrity of our law enforcement institutions.
Let us make this clear: we do not believe that Hon. JJ Banda escaped from lawful custody without proof. If such a claim is made, it must be backed by credible evidence. Until then, the responsibility lies entirely with the police to account for his whereabouts.
Bring back JJ Banda. The people of Petauke, his family and Zambia as a whole demand his immediate return and a full explanation from the authorities.
No Bye-Elections Without Accountability
The Speaker’s reported ultimatum to declare the Petauke seat vacant if Hon. Banda does not report to Parliament within seven days is both unjust and unacceptable under the current circumstances.
There must be no bye-election in Petauke until the whereabouts of Hon. JJ Banda are established. Declaring the seat vacant while Hon. Banda is unaccounted for would not only disenfranchise the people of Petauke but also set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democratic rights.
How can a seat be declared vacant when the MP is missing under circumstances involving state authorities? How can the people of Petauke be asked to participate in a bye-election when their elected representative’s freedom and safety remain unresolved?
The focus must be on finding Hon. JJ Banda, not on rushing to declare his seat vacant. Anything less is an insult to the democratic principles this nation stands for.
The People of Petauke Deserve Justice
The people of Petauke voted for Hon. JJ Banda to represent them in Parliament. His mysterious disappearance under the watch of law enforcement agencies is a violation of their democratic rights. Declaring the seat vacant without first addressing his whereabouts would rob the people of Petauke of their voice in government.
We must not allow this injustice to stand. The government and the Speaker of the National Assembly must prioritize resolving this issue before even considering a bye-election in Petauke.
A Call for Immediate Action
This issue is bigger than Hon. JJ Banda. It speaks to the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. The Zambian people will not stand for silence or secrecy when it comes to the treatment of their elected leaders.
We demand the following:
1. The immediate release of information about Hon. JJ Banda’s whereabouts.
2. A full investigation into his disappearance while in hospital under the guard of law enforcement officers
3. An assurance that no bye-election will take place in Petauke until this matter is resolved.
Zambians must stand together to demand answers. Hon. JJ Banda’s disappearance is not just a Petauke issue—it is a national concern that strikes at the heart of our democracy.
Until Hon. JJ Banda is accounted for, any moves to declare his seat vacant would be premature, unjust, and a gross violation of the democratic rights of the people of Petauke.
The people demand the truth. Bring back JJ Banda. No bye-elections until justice is served.