Lusaka – Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his presidential running mate, Makebi Zulu, have been formally charged with treason following their arrest amid heightened political tensions after the country’s disputed August 13 presidential election.
According to Reuters, Mundubile and Zulu were charged on Saturday and remained detained at Lusaka Central Police Station.
Their lawyer, Kambwa Aongola, confirmed the charges, saying: “Mr Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Mr Makebi Zulu, were both charged with treason.”
The arrests followed Mundubile’s surrender to police on Thursday after he had sought refuge at a United Nations compound in Lusaka. He had been questioned over an alleged treason offence after going into hiding following a security raid on his residence.
We have been detained in Police Custody in Lusaka and held on Treason charges after exercising our democratic rights to contest for the Zambian Presidency in the 2026 General Elections held 14 days ago. pic.twitter.com/A0voOPRSCC
— Brian Mundubile (@Mundubilebrian) August 27, 2026
The Associated Press reported that Mundubile had challenged President Hakainde Hichilema in the election and rejected the result, which gave the incumbent roughly 60% of the vote. Mundubile alleged irregularities in the poll, while Hichilema has rejected claims that the election was fraudulent.
National security threat
The treason case is linked to a wider security investigation following the raid on Mundubile’s home. During the operation, former Cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was fatally shot, while authorities said they recovered military-grade weapons and other equipment from the property.
Mundubile has denied allegations that he or his supporters were planning an armed uprising. The government, however, has said those detained posed a national security threat.
This is the moment Zambia’s opposition leader, Brian Mundubile, who has accused Zambian strongman Hakainde Hichilema of rigging the 13 August presidential election, was arrested by police alongside fellow opposition figure Makebi Zulu.
On Monday, Hichilema shut down the courts,… pic.twitter.com/kNoF5V9JJD
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) August 27, 2026
The Al Jazeera reported that the arrests came against the backdrop of growing political tension after the election and concerns over the opposition’s ability to challenge the result in court.
The situation has also attracted international concern. Amnesty International has criticised the arrests, while the United Nations has expressed concern over the treatment of opposition figures and said the Zambian government had assured it that those detained would receive fair legal proceedings.
Ready to face the allegations
Local publication Lusaka Times reported that the treason case has widened to 18 accused people, including businessman Valden Findlay and Patrick Mwansa, the husband of former President Edgar Lungu’s daughter Tasila Lungu.
The specific allegations underpinning the treason charges against Mundubile and Zulu have not been publicly detailed. Their lawyers have indicated that the accused are ready to face the allegations in court.
The charges mark a significant escalation in Zambia’s post-election political crisis, with attention now turning to the court proceedings and whether the opposition leader will be granted an opportunity to challenge the allegations against him.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@PresidencyZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
