Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been questioned by police over alleged national security offences, which he says were fabricated, following Zambia’s disputed August 13 presidential election.
President Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner of the vote with about 60 percent support, while Mundubile, who came second, has accused authorities of rigging the count and said he intends to challenge the result in court. Hichilema has denied the fraud allegations, though independent observers have raised concerns about the conduct of the poll.
Police had earlier summoned Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, saying a joint investigative team had for several years been examining “serious national security threats” linked to activities allegedly conducted on premises owned or managed by the pair. Police Inspector General Graphael Musamba said the men had sought refuge under international law with an international organization, and that the government had assured that organization the two would be granted due process.
The summons followed a deadly security operation on August 14 at a property linked to Mundubile in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, during which former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot dead and 11 people, including opposition figures, were arrested on allegations related to treason. The government said the operation uncovered a suspected militia cell and seized weapons; Mundubile has rejected that account, calling it fabricated and describing the raid as an attempt on his life.
Mundubile and his allies say several members of his camp were arrested following the election, complicating efforts to formally challenge the result. Zambia’s courts were closed on the final day for filing an election petition, a development that drew criticism from opposition figures, lawyers and civil society groups given the timing coincided with the petition deadline.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have voiced concern over a broader crackdown on dissent following the vote, calling on authorities to end what they described as arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition-linked individuals.
