Milner KatoloMakebi ZuluHakainde HichilemaBrian MundubileKambwa AongolaUnited NationsNRPUPReuters

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile charged with treason as lawyer says 17 others, including running mate Makebi Zulu, also face charges

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, alongside 17 others including his running mate Makebi Zulu, following a deadly raid that led to his arrest. The charges come amid rising political tensions after Mundubile disputed the recent presidential election results.

BBC BBC+1 source30 August 2026 · 13:00 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile was charged with treason on Saturday, according to his lawyer, amid escalating political tensions in Zambia.1

Mundubile's arrest followed a deadly raid that forced him into hiding.2

His party, the NRPUP, was accused of planning an armed insurgency, which they denied.5

Seventeen others, including his running mate Makebi Zulu, also face treason charges.6

Mundubile had previously contested the results of the 13 August presidential election, where he garnered 38% of the vote against incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema, who received 60%.11

Following the raid, Mundubile and Zulu sought refuge at a United Nations building in Lusaka, but were later detained after the president pressured the UN to hand them over.

The opposition was unable to challenge the election results legally, as authorities sealed off the courts on the final day for filing a case.

Hichilema is set to be sworn in for a second term on 1 September.

Key Insight
“Mundubile and Zulu had taken refuge at a UN building after a deadly raid, but were detained after President Hichilema pressured the UN to hand them over. The courts were sealed on the final day to file a challenge, and Hichilema is set to be sworn in on 1 September.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
BBCBBC
“Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer has said amid heightened political tensions in the country.”
BBC →
2
ReutersReuters
“Zambian opposition leader ​Brian Mundubile was ‌charged with treason on Saturday, his ​lawyer told ​Reuters.”
Reuters →
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