In brief
Following the recent presidential vote, Zambian security forces arrested 11 people—among them opposition hopeful Brian Mundubile—and confiscated weapons they alleged were intended for an armed uprising. Mundubile claims the raid was staged as an assassination attempt and has repeatedly accused the government of election fraud, while the incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema currently leads with 62% of the vote. International observers have noted the tension over a suspended tallying period and raised concerns about an uneven playing field. The crackdown and ensuing drama continue to heighten political uncertainty in Zambia.
Security forces in Zambia have seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition leader Brian Mundubile, after a raid on the capital, citing an alleged insurrection plot.
Mundubile was found at the scene, according to civil servant Patrick Kangwa, and later dismissed the allegations as “total fabrications.” He claimed the police staged an assassination attempt on his home and that shots were fired, describing the raid as indiscriminate.
The presidential election, held last Thursday, produced early results: incumbent Hakainde Hichilema leads with 62% of the votes, while Mundubile holds 36%. Despite this, he had previously proclaimed victory and alleged illegal ballot tampering.
State officials say the detained were linked to “military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal training camps,” and that they possessed high‑grade weapons and ammunition for an armed insurrection. They claimed shots exchanged with police during the raid.
Mundubile’s family, who have not returned home since the incident, reports being traumatized and unsafe. He also said former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot while present.
The government confirmed the arrests but denied the allegations of an upcoming violent uprising, while international observers note that a suspension of vote tallying had occurred over violence at polling stations. They urged clarity and proportionality in any security measures.
The political climate remains tense, with increased police presence in Lusaka, while the power struggle between the ruling party and opposition continues to dominate Zambia’s political discourse.
Report by Dingindaba Buyoya, reporting from Lusaka.
