Drunk Zambian Police Officer arrested for freeing 13 suspects to celebrate new year

A police officer in Zambia has been detained after allegedly releasing 13 suspects from custody so they could celebrate the New Year, authorities have confirmed.

Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, stationed at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka, was reported to have freed detainees facing charges of assault, robbery, and burglary. After the release, Phiri fled the station, leaving his post unattended.

The 13 suspects are now on the run, and Zambian police have launched a manhunt to recapture them.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said that Phiri, “in a state of intoxication, forcibly seized cell keys” from constable Serah Banda on New Year’s Eve.

“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.