Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason amid rising political tensions following the country’s recent presidential election.
Mundubile was arrested on Thursday after going into hiding following a deadly security raid on a property in Lusaka linked to him.
His lawyer, Milner Katolo, confirmed on Saturday night that Mundubile had been formally charged with treason. He said the opposition leader was prepared to defend himself against the allegations in court.
Katolo also disclosed that 17 other people, including Mundubile’s running mate, Makebi Zulu, had been charged with the same offence.
Mundubile’s NRPUP party had rejected allegations by the authorities that it was planning an armed insurgency.
The opposition leader disputed the outcome of the August 13 presidential election, in which incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner with 60 per cent of the vote, compared with Mundubile’s 38 per cent.
A day after the election, security forces raided a property in Lusaka associated with Mundubile. A former cabinet minister was killed during the operation, while several politicians were arrested.
Following the raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought refuge at a United Nations facility in Lusaka. They were later detained after President Hichilema reportedly pressured the UN to hand them over to the authorities.
The opposition was unable to challenge the election result in court after authorities sealed the courts on Monday, the final day for filing a petition.
Hichilema is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term on September 1.
Although regional and international observers described the election as largely peaceful, Zambia’s Human Rights Commission has called for accountability over people reportedly missing following arrests and security operations linked to the election.
