Detained opposition leader charged with treason

Zambia's detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer said on Sunday, deepening concerns over the government's treatment of political dissent. According to RFI, Mundubile, who finished second to President Hakainde Hichilema in the 13 August election, was taken into custody on Thursday after more than two weeks in hiding. Police accuse him of posing a national security threat after security forces raided his home a day after the vote and said they found rifles and other military equipment. ‘I can confirm that Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu have been formally charged... with the offence of treason,’ lawyer Kambwa Aongola told AFP. They were charged on Saturday and have remained in custody at Lusaka Central Police Station, Aongola said. Zulu, Mundubile's running mate, is a former lawmaker and a spokesman for the family of late former President Edgar Lungu. The pair have denied the allegations, dismissing claims of an armed insurgency as fabricated. It was not immediately clear when they would appear in court to take plea. Hichilema is due to be sworn in for a second term tomorrow. Rights groups have warned that recent opposition arrests risk further narrowing political space in Zambia. Hichilema's first term was also marked by concerns over political freedoms, with opposition parties and civil society groups accusing his government of curbing dissent, allegations the government has rejected.

Full RFI report

Court premises in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, and elsewhere were shut as the deadline for filing a petition against the outcome of the recent presidential election approached, last Monday. An unusual police presence had been reported at some courts, which had been taped off to prevent access, reports BBC News. Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile intended challenging the election result, citing irregularities, after coming second with a 38% share of the vote. Incumbent Hakainde Hichilema won a second term with 60%. Mundubile was in hiding over alleged threats made against him, amid a post-election period marked by controversy, including the shooting dead of an opposition figure and the arrest of others. Last Monday was the last day on which a petition against the presidential election result could have been filed. Such a petition could have potentially affected the inauguration of Hichilema. Last Monday, lawyers who arrived at the courts were asked to depart. One lawyer said that three armed men approached his vehicle, identified themselves, and instructed him to leave the area.

The courts that were sealed off included the High Court in Lusaka, the Supreme Court, which also houses the Constitutional Court, and several local courts. Local media cite a directive by a judiciary administrative official telling all staff not to report to work following the closure of courts for ‘security reasons’. Some commentators have raised concerns over the closure while questioning the independence of the judiciary, according to BBC News. A prominent voice for the opposition, Emmanuel Mwamba, alleged the action was aimed at preventing Mundubile from filing his presidential election petition. The Law Association of Zambia said it was concerned by the closure of the courts and the presence of heavily armed military personnel around court premises in Lusaka. It said there was no formal public explanation for the closure nor its expected duration. Referring to the ‘unsigned memorandum’ from the judiciary addressing staff, it said no further official information had been provided to lawyers and the public.

Full BBC News report