Opposition leader walks free

Treason charges against Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema were last week dropped and he was released from prison. The United Party for National Development (UPND) confirmed this on its Twitter account. A report on the News24 site notes that Hichilema has been in custody since April over an incident in which he allegedly failed to give way to President Edgar Lungu's motorcade. Hichilema and five aides denied the treason charges at a plea hearing on Monday last week where police officers in riot gear had sealed off the court precinct as scores of UPND supporters waited outside. The trial had been due to begin on Wednesday.