MUNDUBILE DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER ALLEGED DETENTION OF OPPOSITION FIGURES AHEAD OF POLLS
IN STATEMENT – MUNDUBILE DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER ALLEGED DETENTION OF OPPOSITION FIGURES AHEAD OF POLLS
Lusaka, Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has demanded that the Zambia Police Service immediately disclose the whereabouts and legal status of three senior political figures who he says have allegedly been picked up just days before Zambia’s August 13 General Elections.
Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, Mundubile identified the three as Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Chairperson for Elections Japhen Mwakalombe, People’s Party President Dr Sebastian Kopulande and NRPUP Presidential Spokesperson George Kangwa Chisanga.
Mundubile said information available to his political grouping suggested the three may have been taken by law-enforcement officers, but said authorities had yet to publicly clarify their whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding their alleged detention.
He called on police to state whether the three were in custody, where they were being held, the reasons for their detention and what offences, if any, they were suspected of committing.
The NRPUP leader argued that the reported incidents were particularly concerning because they came amid what he described as a wider pattern of arrests and detentions involving people associated with the opposition.
He cited the earlier detention of NRPUP Deputy Secretary General Kennedy Kamba, as well as cases involving musicians, bloggers, media personnel, campaign workers and security personnel.
Among those Mundubile named were musicians Chester “More Power” and Felix, comedian Winston Ngosa, popularly known as IDC, bloggers Rooney Kapya and Matthews Zubi, as well as Hannah Israel and Martha Lungu. He also raised concerns over reported cases involving members of opposition security and vote-protection structures in Western Province.
Mundubile said anyone suspected of committing an offence should be charged according to law, allowed access to lawyers and family members and brought before a competent court.
He questioned why individuals involved in music, comedy, journalism and documenting political activities appeared to be among those targeted, arguing that legitimate artistic, media and political activities should not be treated as threats to the State.
“A government confident in its democratic mandate does not fear a song. It does not fear a comedian. It does not fear a camera. And it certainly does not fear the ballot box,” Mundubile said.
The presidential candidate said the timing of the reported arrests and detentions, coming in the final days before polling, raised questions about whether opposition organisation and vote-protection efforts were being disrupted.
He consequently called on the Inspector General of Police and the Zambia Police Service to provide immediate clarification on Mwakalombe, Kopulande and Chisanga and ensure that their constitutional rights were respected if they were indeed in custody.
Mundubile also appealed to diplomatic missions, international election observers and Zambia’s cooperating partners to closely monitor developments ahead of Thursday’s election.
He urged international observers to document incidents, seek clarification from relevant authorities and speak out where fundamental freedoms necessary for a credible election appeared to be under threat.
Mundubile said Zambia had spent decades building its reputation as one of Africa’s peaceful democracies and warned that the country should not allow that legacy to be undermined.
The NRPUP leader further appealed to churches, civil society organisations, human-rights defenders, lawyers, media bodies and election-monitoring organisations to speak out against political violence, intimidation and violations of citizens’ rights regardless of political affiliation.
He particularly acknowledged the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Christian organisations that have spoken against political violence and called on evangelical and Pentecostal churches to similarly speak out in defence of justice, peace and human dignity.
Turning to voters, Mundubile urged Zambians not to be intimidated into staying away from polling stations on August 13 and called on citizens to exercise their right to vote peacefully.
He urged supporters and voters generally to avoid provocation, retaliation and violence, saying political differences should ultimately be settled through the ballot.
“The ballot is stronger than the fist. The ballot is stronger than intimidation. And the ballot is stronger than fear,” he said.
Mundubile described Thursday’s election as an opportunity for Zambians to peacefully determine the direction of the country and said he and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, would continue providing leadership during the remaining hours before polling.
He urged NRPUP supporters across the country to remain peaceful, disciplined and vigilant and to protect the integrity of the electoral process through lawful means.
Mundubile also reminded State institutions that their mandate was to serve the Republic rather than individual political interests.
“The police uniform belongs to the Republic, not to a political party. The courts belong to the Republic. The Electoral Commission belongs to the Republic. And the Republic belongs to its people,” he said.
He concluded by renewing his demand for information on the whereabouts of Mwakalombe, Kopulande and Chisanga, as well as clarity regarding other people allegedly being detained in connection with political activities.
“Let the law prevail. Let peace prevail. Let democracy prevail. And on 13 August, let the people of Zambia speak through the ballot box,” Mundubile said.