Zambia: Opposition Leader Brian Mundubile Charged with Treason in Post‑Election Crackdown

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:58:35 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile faces treason charges after a police raid and the arrest of his supporters, as Zambia braces for President Hichilema’s next term.

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile was arrested Thursday in the aftermath of a deadly police raid targeting his party headquarters. Mundubile has been charged with treason, and 17 allies, including running mate Makebi Zulu, face the same accusations. The move follows a contested presidential election where incumbent Hakainde Hichilema secured 60% of the vote, upsetting the opposition amid reports of security‑force violence and sweeping arrests.

Zambian opposition leader charged with treason

Brian Mundubile, a prominent opposition figure, has been formally charged with treason following his arrest on Thursday after a police raid left his party headquarters in ruins. The arrest comes after the group was accused by authorities of planning an armed insurgency – an allegation the National Reform Party of Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) denies.

Mundubile was forced into hiding at a United Nations building in Zambia’s capital after the raid killed a former cabinet minister and detained several politicians. His lawyer, Milner Katolo, announced the treason charges on Saturday night, saying Mundubile will appear in court soon. Katolo added that the 17 other suspects, including running mate Makebi Zulu, also face treason allegations.

The controversy erupted following a presidential election on 13 August. Mundubile received 38% of the vote, while President Hakainde Hichilema secured 60%, making him the frontrunner for a second term that is set to be sworn in on 1 September.

Security forces also raided a Lusaka property linked to Mundubile on the day after the poll, a move that killed a former minister and brought further scrutiny from the public and human‑rights groups who demand accountability for arrests that leave many people missing. The courts were sealed off by authorities the day before the last period for filing an election‑challenge case ended, effectively preventing the opposition from legally contesting the results.

Zambian Eye reports that the legal proceedings are set to intensify as the national political climate stirs.

Observers described the election as largely peaceful, but the Human Rights Commission has called for investigations into missing persons following the arrests and widespread security operations. The political tensions in Zambia continue to rise as the country approaches the official ceremony of President Hichilema’s second term.