HRF condemns the imprisonment of Zambian presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu on vague, politically motivated treason charges. The charges were leveled against them following the disputed Aug. 13 presidential election, in which incumbent ruler Hakainde Hichilema claimed victory. HRF calls on the Hichilema regime to end its crackdown on Zambia’s democratic opposition and to stop abusing and weaponizing the judiciary to silence dissent.
On Aug. 27, Mundubile and Zulu — who had sought refuge at the UN office in Zambia since a deadly Aug. 14 security raid on Mundubile’s home — were handed over to Lusaka Central Police Station, interrogated, and taken into custody. On Aug. 29, both were formally charged with treason on vague and unsubstantiated accusations of seeking to overthrow the government. They were flown to Mukobeko Maximum Security prison in the town of Kabwe.
Their arrests came three days after Zambian authorities deployed security forces to seal off the premises of the country’s top courts to prevent Mundubile and Zulu from filing a legal challenge against irregularities in the Aug. 13 election.
Other members of Mundubile’s entourage and his presidential campaign team — including Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, lawyer George Chisanga and businessman Harry Findlay — have also been detained on similarly unsubstantiated and vague charges, such as treason and terrorism financing.
