IN a bizarre New Year’s Eve incident, a drunken Zambian police officer freed 13 detainees from custody in Lusaka before fleeing the scene himself, officials confirmed.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, reportedly intoxicated, seized keys from Constable Serah Banda at Leonard Cheelo Police Station and unlocked both male and female cells. He instructed the suspects, accused of crimes such as assault, robbery, and burglary, to leave, declaring them ‘free to cross over into the new year,’ according to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga.
‘Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped,’ Hamoonga stated. ‘Following the incident, the officer fled the scene.’ A manhunt has since been launched for both the escapees and Phiri.
This incident has sparked widespread commentary, with former presidential spokesperson Dickson Jere taking to Facebook to recall a similarly chaotic event in 1997. That year, High Court Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 suspects, many deemed dangerous, who had been in custody since 1992 without trial. Chanda famously declared, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’
Phiri has yet to comment on the allegations, leaving the public to grapple with the comedic yet troubling nature of the event.
The situation underscores long-standing issues within Zambia’s law enforcement system, including accountability and resource management. As the manhunt continues, questions about how such an incident could occur are likely to intensify.
