Africa-Press. The lawyer for Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile announced that a charge of treason has been brought against him amid rising political tensions in the country. Mundubile was arrested following a violent raid conducted by authorities, prompting the opposition politician to go into hiding.
He had contested the results of the recent presidential elections, in which current President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term. Authorities accused Mundubile’s party, the NRPUP, of planning an armed rebellion, which the party denied.
Milner Katulo, Mundubile’s lawyer, announced the treason charge against his client. Katulo stated to a local source that the opposition leader looks forward to responding to this charge in court.
The lawyer added that 17 other individuals, including Mundubile’s deputy, Makibi Zulu, have also been charged with treason. Mundubile received 38% of the votes in the August 13 elections, while Hichilema garnered 60%, according to official results.
The day after the elections, security forces raided a property in the capital Lusaka linked to Mundubile, resulting in the death of a former minister and the arrest of several other politicians.
Following the raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought refuge in a United Nations building in the city. The two were detained after the president pressured the UN to hand them over.
The opposition was unable to legally contest the election results, as authorities closed the courts on Monday, the last day allowed for filing lawsuits. Hichilema is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term on September 1.
Regional and international observers described election day as largely peaceful, but the Zambian Human Rights Commission has called for accountability regarding the fate of individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown following the arrests and security operations conducted during the elections.
