Zambia Opposition Leader Brian Mundubile Charged With Treason

Zambia’s opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been formally charged with treason alongside his running mate Makebi Zulu, escalating tensions over political dissent days before President Hakainde Hichilema’s inauguration.

Zambia’s detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, according to his lawyer, in a case that has intensified concerns among rights groups over the treatment of political opponents.

Mundubile, who finished second to President Hakainde Hichilema in the August 13 election, was arrested on Thursday after spending more than two weeks in hiding.

His lawyer, Kambwa Aongola, confirmed that Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were formally charged with treason on Saturday.

“I can confirm that Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu have been formally charged... with the offence of treason,” Aongola told AFP.

The two remain in custody at Lusaka Central Police Station, with the timing of their court appearance and plea-taking not immediately clear.

Police allege national security threat

Mundubile's arrest follows a police operation at his home shortly after the election. Security authorities said they recovered rifles and other military equipment during the search.

Police subsequently accused the opposition leader of posing a national security threat and suggested the items were connected to an alleged armed insurgency.

Mundubile and Zulu have strongly denied the allegations, dismissing claims of plans for an armed uprising as fabricated.

Zulu, who served as Mundubile's running mate, is a former lawmaker and spokesperson for the family of Zambia's late former president Edgar Lungu.

The treason charges represent a significant escalation in the case, given the seriousness of the offence and its potential political implications.

Concerns over political freedoms

The arrests have drawn renewed attention to Zambia's political environment, with rights groups warning that the detention of opposition figures could further restrict political space in the country.

Hichilema's administration has previously faced criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations over allegations that political dissent has been curtailed during his first term. The government has rejected accusations that it is deliberately suppressing political opposition.

Mundubile's detention comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with Hichilema expected to be sworn in for a second term on Tuesday.

The development has therefore added another layer of tension to Zambia's post-election political landscape, as authorities pursue the treason case while the opposition challenges the allegations against its leaders.

For now, Mundubile and Zulu remain in custody pending their appearance before the courts, where prosecutors will be expected to formally present the charges and evidence supporting the case.