Zambia's election marred by irregularities and 'militia' arrests

Zambia 's government announced on Sunday that police had arrested 11 people, including six opposition figures, in a raid against "militia activity." The arrests took place on Thursday night, according to a government statement.

"The individuals in issue were found in possession of high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials for use in armed insurrection," it said.

Zambia's main opposition party, the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP), said shots were fired in the raid, which took place at the home of its presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, as Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

The party said it "rejects with absolute disdain the spurious and entirely false claims made by the Zambian Government that the NRPUP, its leadership or its members have been involved in insurgency, militia activity or any related conduct whatsoever."

Mundubile added that heavily ​armed ‌personnel had raided his residence after the election in what he described as an attack on his life.

He also claimed on social media that he was interrogated by army officers over videos he had released, and that he suffered mistreatment while in custody — accusations denied by the authorities.

However, the government has responded that those claims were "unsubstantiated," with outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Mulambo Haimbe telling DW that "the individuals that have been apprehended have been charged, first of all, and will face trial."

"So, it is not Mr Mundubile's place to make assertions on matters that will go through a court process," he stressed, adding the any actions taken by authorities made sure that the "security of the nation is not compromized" during the election process.