In a shocking turn of events on New Year’s Eve, a Zambian detective inspector was arrested for releasing 13 detainees from police custody while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, stationed at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, reportedly seized the keys to the cells and unlocked the gates, allowing the suspects to escape.
The detainees, held for serious crimes such as assault, robbery, and burglary, were told they were “free to cross over into the new year” by the intoxicated officer, according to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga. The escape was made possible after Phiri forcibly took the keys from Constable Serah Banda before fleeing the station himself.
The incident has left law enforcement scrambling to locate the 13 fugitives, who were part of the 15 suspects in custody that night. A manhunt is now underway, and Phiri has since been apprehended, though he has not yet commented on the allegations.
Hamoonga described the act as a gross dereliction of duty, stating, “Detective Phiri, in a state of intoxication, disregarded his responsibilities and compromised public safety by enabling the escape of detainees.”
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The bizarre episode has sparked widespread reactions, including from former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere, who took to Facebook to share his thoughts. “Each time I picture the scenario, I can’t help but laugh—comical! But it also reminds me of a similar incident in 1997,” Jere wrote.
Jere recounted an infamous New Year’s Eve event when late High Court Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 detainees. Frustrated by delays in bringing the suspects to court, some of whom had been detained since 1992, Judge Chanda declared, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” and let them go free.
While this latest incident has drawn comparisons to the 1997 event, it has also raised serious concerns about accountability within Zambia’s law enforcement agencies. Many are questioning the systems in place to prevent such lapses and ensure the integrity of police operations.