TREASON IN LUSAKA
…State nets 18 in alleged plot to overthrow Government
TREASON IN LUSAKA
…State nets 18 in alleged plot to overthrow Government
By DAVID KANDUZA
OPPOSITION leaders Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu have been formally charged with treason alongside 16 others.
The charges, leveled under Section 43(1) of Zambia’s Penal Code, follow a dramatic two-week stand-off involving allegations of hidden military-grade weapons, a suspected underground militia network and an executive-level dragnet that had now swept up 18 individuals.
Following intense interrogation at the Lusaka Central Police Station, the State took the extraordinary step of transferring Mr Mundubile, 55, and Mr Zulu, 45, under the cover of darkness.
Heavily armed Zambia Army vehicles were seen transporting the opposition leaders north to Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison in Kabwe today August 30, 2026, where they now join other high-profile political figures currently facing State prosecution.
Defense attorneys confirmed that the formal warn and caution statements—a mandatory legal step in Zambian criminal procedures—were finalised late last Saturday.
“Mr Mundubile and Mr Makebi Zulu, were both charged with treason and remained detained,” defense lawyer Kambwa Aongola reported.
Breaking the State’s silence on the late-night maneuvers, Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi officially confirmed that investigators have finalised the preliminary documentation for the high-profile suspects.
Mr Chilabi dismissed rumours of a police lockdown in the capital and clarified the legal standing of the accused.
“The Zambia Police Service wishes to confirm that warn and caution statements have been recorded from Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu in connection with an alleged offence of treason, contrary to Section 43(1) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the widening scope of the operation, Chilabi noted that investigations into the alleged treason have advanced, with individuals linked to the matter being jointly interviewed as the probe continued.
He emphasised that all detainees retained full access to legal counsel and their families, explicitly refuting social media reports that lawyers had been barred from the facility.
The treason case stems from an August 14 counter-terrorism raid in the upscale Kabulonga neighbourhood of Lusaka, occurring just hours after the August 13 Presidential election.
State security services reportedly breached a property linked to the opposition campaign, uncovering an arms cache containing high-grade military weaponry.
Authorities allege Mr Mundubile was operating a highly trained, illegal paramilitary militia composed of specialised personnel.
Mr Mundubile, the runner-up in the election where incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term with 60 per cent of the vote, had fiercely denied the existence of any militia.
He claimed the vote was rigged and attempted to contest the results, but a sudden closure of the country’s judiciary on the final filing day prevented a formal petition.
Fearing for their safety after police swarmed Mr Mundubile’s residence, the duo went into hiding on August 17, seeking temporary refuge at the United Nations Mission in Lusaka.
Following extensive diplomatic mediation involving the African Union, Southern African Development Community and the European Union, the politicians emerged from the UN compound on August 27 to surrender to the authorities.