Zambia’s Opposition Leader Detained Over Alleged Treason

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been detained alongside his running mate, Makebi Zulu, on allegations of treason after he rejected the results of the country’s recent presidential election.

The Zambia Police Service said the two opposition figures were taken into custody after being questioned over an alleged treason offence.

According to the official election results, President Hakainde Hichilema secured 60 per cent of the vote, while Mundubile received 38 per cent. Opposition leaders, however, have disputed the outcome.

Mundubile had vowed to challenge the election result in court, but Zambia’s judiciary was shut down nationwide on Monday, the final day for filing an objection, with authorities citing security concerns.

The development followed a security raid on a property linked to Mundubile in Lusaka, the capital, a day after the election. The operation reportedly resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several other politicians.

Following the raid, Mundubile’s party said he had moved to a secure location under the protection of an international human rights organisation because of threats against him.

The location was reportedly the United Nations facility. However, Mundubile and Zulu were later taken into police custody after President Hichilema was alleged to have pressured the UN to hand them over.

Treason is a serious offence under Zambian law and carries severe penalties upon conviction.

Police said they had obtained “warn and caution” statements from the two men, a procedure that generally precedes the filing of formal charges.