Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile faces treason charge

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, according to his lawyer, Milner Katolo.

Mundubile was arrested on Thursday after going into hiding following a deadly security raid. The arrest comes after he disputed the results of Zambia’s recent presidential election.

President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term in the 13 August vote with 60%, according to official results. Mundubile received 38%.

Authorities have accused Mundubile’s NRPUP party of planning an armed insurgency. The party has denied the claim.

Katolo said on Saturday night that Mundubile had been charged with treason and would respond to the accusation in court. He said 17 other people, including Mundubile’s running mate Makebi Zulu, were also facing treason charges.

Security officers raided a Lusaka property linked to Mundubile a day after the election. A former cabinet minister was killed in the operation and several politicians were arrested.

Mundubile and Zulu then sought refuge at a United Nations building in Lusaka. They were later detained after the president pushed for the UN to hand them over.

The opposition was unable to challenge the election result in court after the courts were sealed off on Monday, the final day allowed for filing a case.

Hichilema is set to be sworn in for his second term on 1 September.

Although regional and international observers described the election day as largely peaceful, Zambia’s Human Rights Commission has called for accountability over people whose whereabouts are unknown following arrests and security operations around the election.