Key facts
- Opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been handed over to police for questioning.
- Mundubile disputed the recent presidential election results, which incumbent Hakainde Hichilema won.
- Security forces raided a property linked to Mundubile, resulting in a death and arrests.
- Authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed insurgency, which they denied.
- Mundubile had been in hiding under the protection of an international human rights body.
- The opposition could not file a legal challenge to the election outcome as courts were sealed.
Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who had been in hiding after disputing the recent presidential election results, has been handed over to the police for questioning, according to state broadcaster ZNBC. The official results showed incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema winning with 60% of the vote, compared to Mundubile's 38%.
Following the election, security forces raided a property linked to Mundubile, resulting in the death of a former cabinet minister and arrests of other politicians. Authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed insurgency, a claim they denied. Mundubile had stated he was in a secure location under the protection of an international human rights body due to threats.
ZNBC reports that Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were under UN protection in Lusaka and are now being interviewed by law enforcement in the presence of their lawyers. The summons concerns alleged activities that police believe could threaten national security.
The opposition was unable to file a legal challenge to the election outcome because the courts were sealed off by authorities on the final day for filing cases. Hichilema is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term on September 1.