Zambia’s opposition figure Brian Mundubile has been formally accused of treason, according to his legal representative, as political tensions continue to rise following the country’s presidential election.
Mundubile was taken into custody on Thursday after disappearing from public view following a fatal security operation carried out by government forces.
The opposition politician had rejected the outcome of the recent presidential poll, in which President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner of a second consecutive term.
Authorities subsequently alleged that Mundubile’s NRPUP movement was involved in preparations for an armed rebellion.
The party has strongly rejected the allegation.
Mundubile’s attorney, Milner Katolo, confirmed on Saturday evening that his client was facing a treason charge.
He said the opposition figure was prepared to appear before the courts and respond to the allegations.
According to Katolo, 17 additional individuals have also been charged, among them Mundubile’s election running mate, Makebi Zulu.
Official figures indicate that Mundubile received 38% of the ballots cast in the 13 August election, compared with 60% for Hichilema.
A day after voting ended, security personnel conducted an operation at a Lusaka property reportedly associated with Mundubile.
A former government minister was killed during the incident, while several opposition figures were detained.
Officials claimed firearms were recovered from the location.
Mundubile and Zulu subsequently sought protection at a United Nations facility in the capital.
They were later taken into custody after President Hichilema urged the UN to surrender them to Zambian authorities.
The opposition’s attempt to contest the election result through the courts was also blocked after authorities closed court premises on Monday, the deadline for submitting a petition.
President Hichilema is scheduled to take the oath of office for another five-year mandate on 1 September.
Although regional and international monitors described voting day as generally calm, Zambia’s Human Rights Commission has demanded investigations into reports concerning individuals whose locations remain unknown after a series of arrests and security operations linked to the election.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong