Drunken Zambian Policeman Frees 13 Suspects To Celebrate New Year

Lusaka, Zambia – A Zambian detective inspector has been arrested for releasing 13 suspects from police custody while under the influence of alcohol in a bizarre New Year’s Eve incident.

Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, stationed at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, allegedly seized cell keys from Constable Serah Banda while intoxicated.

He then freed the detainees, who were being held on charges ranging from assault to robbery and burglary, according to police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga.

The suspects fled the station and remain at large. A manhunt has been launched to recapture them.

Phiri himself reportedly fled the scene after the incident but was later apprehended.

BBC reports that “Subsequently, detective inspector Phiri unlocked both the male and female cells and instructed the suspects to leave, stating they were free to cross over into the new year,” he said.

“Out of the 15 suspects in custody, 13 escaped. Following the incident, the officer fled the scene.”

Mr Phiri has not yet commented on the allegations.

Reacting to the incident, former presidential spokesperson and lawyer Dickson Jere wrote on Facebook: “I keep laughing each time I picture the scenario – comical! But then, I remembered a similar incident in 1997.”

On New Year’s Eve in 1997, the late, controversial High Court Judge Kabazo Chanda ordered the release of 53 suspects, some of whom were deemed dangerous by the police.

Mr Chanda was annoyed that the suspects had been arrested as long ago as 1992, but had not yet appeared in court.

“Justice delayed, is justice denied,” he said.