A Zambian detective inspector caused a stir on New Year’s Eve by allegedly freeing 13 suspects from police custody while intoxicated.
Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, stationed at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, reportedly took the cell keys by force from Constable Serah Banda.
Under the influence of alcohol, he opened the male and female detention cells and encouraged the suspects to leave, telling them they were “free to cross over into the new year.”
The suspects, who were held for serious offenses including assault, robbery, and burglary, seized the opportunity.
Out of the 15 detainees, 13 managed to escape, while Phiri himself fled the scene.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the bizarre incident, stating, “Mr. Phiri, in a state of intoxication, disregarded his duties and allowed suspects to flee custody.”
A manhunt has been launched for the escapees, and Phiri has since been arrested.
The officer has yet to respond to the allegations.
Reflecting on the unusual incident, former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere commented on Facebook.
“I keep laughing each time I picture the scenario—comical! But then, I remembered a similar incident in 1997.”
Jere referred to a case in 1997 when the late High Court Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 detainees who had been in custody since 1992 without trial. At the time, Judge Chanda remarked, “Justice delayed is justice denied.”
This New Year’s Eve drama has left Zambians shocked, with many questioning how such a breach of duty could occur.
