The Zambia Police Service announced on 16 October 2026 that former Petauke MP Emmanuel Jay Banda had been apprehended and was in the country awaiting formal arrest and charges, contradicting a Facebook post claiming he had been murdered by President Hakainde Hichilema.
Claim
In a post published on 15 October 2026, the Lily Mutamz TV Facebook page claimed that former Petauke Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda had been murdered by President Hakainde Hichilema. The post further demanded that the Government explain Mr Banda’s whereabouts or answer to the United Nations.
Verdict: False
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia found no credible evidence supporting the claim that former Petauke Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda had been murdered by President Hakainde Hichilema. Instead, a press statement issued by the Zambia Police Service on 16 October 2026 announced that Mr Banda had been apprehended and was in the country awaiting formal arrest and charges. This official announcement contradicts the social media claim that he had been murdered.
Conclusion
The claim that former Petauke Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda was murdered by President Hakainde Hichilema is false. It is unsupported by credible evidence and contradicted by a 16 October 2026 statement from the Zambia Police Service confirming Mr Banda’s apprehension. The public is therefore urged to exercise caution when encountering unverified reports about Mr Banda’s whereabouts and to rely on credible sources and official statements rather than speculation circulating on social media.
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Before sharing information about public affairs, verify it against credible sources and official statements. If you encounter suspicious claims, images or videos, submit them to iVerify Zambia for verification.
- Email: factcheck@panos.org.zm
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Together, we can help reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote access to accurate information, and protect the integrity of public discourse.
