Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been detained on allegations of treason after going into hiding following his rejection of the country’s recent presidential election result.
Official results from the 13 August election declared incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema the winner with 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received 38%.
Mundubile’s detention follows a security operation in Lusaka the day after the election, when forces raided a property linked to him. A former cabinet minister was killed during the operation and several other opposition politicians were arrested.
Brian Mundubile faces national security allegations
Authorities accused members of the opposition of preparing for an armed insurgency, allegations that opposition figures have denied.
Mundubile subsequently went into hiding, with his NRPUP party saying he had moved to a secure location under the protection of an international human rights organisation because of threats against him.
His running mate, Makebi Zulu, was also taken into police custody on Thursday.
The two opposition figures had sought refuge at a United Nations facility in Lusaka following the security operation. They were detained after President Hichilema reportedly pressured the UN to hand them over to the authorities. Brian Mundubile
Zambia’s state broadcaster ZNBC reported that Mundubile and Zulu were being questioned by law enforcement officers in the presence of their lawyers. The questioning followed a summons concerning alleged activities that police said could pose a threat to national security. Brian Mundubile
Opposition blocked from challenging election
The opposition has also been unable to launch a legal challenge against the presidential election result.
On Monday, the final day for filing an election petition, authorities sealed off the courts, preventing the opposition from submitting its case.
The development has intensified concerns surrounding the political situation in Zambia following the disputed election, while Mundubile’s detention adds further pressure to an already tense relationship between the government and opposition.
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