Update: Civil society groups ask Zambia and Mozambique to explain how Jay Jay Banda was seized and why he is in hospital in critical condition

A consortium of local and regional civil society organisations and human rights defenders has called on the Zambian and Mozambican governments to account for the cross-border apprehension of Emmanuel Jay Banda, the former Petauke Central MP. The groups include the Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation, Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation, Free Press Initiative Zambia and the LCK Freedom Foundation, among others. The consortium says it does not condone Mr Banda's vulgar online language or his past offences, but argues that Zambia and Mozambique must still follow the law in his arrest and transfer. It wants the authorities to disclose how he came to be in critical condition at Maina Soko Military Hospital, saying that protecting the life of every person in custody is the government's duty. The call adds to questions raised last week. Amnesty International said Mr Banda was arrested in Mozambique on 14 October by a joint task force and brought to Zambia, and asked for a health check by a qualified professional, confidential access to a lawyer and to his family, and a stated legal basis for holding him, saying he must either be released or taken before a court. On 16 October police spokesperson Chipo Kaitisha confirmed that he is in the country "awaiting formal arrest and charging" and that more details would follow. State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka answered Amnesty on 18 October, calling the organisation "hypocrites" and asking where it was when people were calling for the President's assassination. The place and method of Mr Banda's capture have so far come from Amnesty and unnamed sources, not from the police. Mr Banda escaped custody in Chipata in August 2024 while in hospital, and faces allegations of aggravated robbery and attempted murder. He has not been convicted of those allegations. ## Why it matters The argument is about method, not about whether the police may pursue a man who escaped custody. Zambia was elected