Zambia opposition leader questioned over ‘treason’ amid election fallout

Zambia’s main opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who was runner-up in this month’s disputed presidential election, is being questioned by police over alleged treason.

⁠Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, are in police custody after ⁠being questioned “in connection with an alleged offence of treason”, the Zambia Police ⁠Service said on Thursday.

Zambian state media said Mundubile surrendered to police in Lusaka on August 27, after spending two weeks at an international human rights organisation, where he sought safety after a police raid at his home the day after the country’s August 13 elections.

The two were interviewed by a team of police officers alongside their lawyers. Police did not immediately provide further details of the allegations underpinning the treason investigation. They said that “warn and caution” statements ⁠had been recorded, a ⁠step typically preceding formal charges.

Treason is a serious offence in ⁠Zambia and carries severe penalties upon conviction.

The developments follow an escalation from two weeks ago, during which former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and killed during the police crackdown in which 11 people were arrested at Mundubile’s home.

Police said the group were involved in alleged insurrection or militia activity, an accusation Mundubile has denied.

President Hakainde Hichilema won 60 percent of the vote and is due to be sworn in as president for a second term on Tuesday. The election results were disputed by opposition leaders.