Zambia Opposition Under Fire as 11 Arrested in Post-Election Raid on Mundubile’s Camp
Security forces in Zambia have seized high-grade military weapons and arrested 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in connection with an alleged insurrection plot following Thursday's presidential election.
Leading opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile was found at the scene of the raid in Lusaka. While top civil servant Patrick Kangwa claimed security forces disrupted illegal training camps, Mundubile dismissed the accusations in a BBC interview as "total fabrications," alleging that forces staged an attempt on his life.
Opposition candidate Brian Mundubile described terrifying scenes at his home on Friday when heavily armed personnel knocked down his gate with an armoured vehicle and opened fire.
"They were basically shooting indiscriminately. They directed two shots towards me. It was just by God's grace that I survived. So they came in to kill us," Mundubile told the BBC.
Former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot during the operation. Mundubile stated Kafwaya was bleeding profusely and dragged away by officers, leaving his current whereabouts unknown.
Mundubile stated that 80 soldiers invaded his home, leaving his family traumatized and forced into hiding. "My children saw their uncle bleeding profusely... we have not returned home since Friday."
Top civil servant Patrick Kangwa defended the security operation, stating law enforcement acted on intelligence regarding illegal military training camps aimed at launching an armed insurrection.
The government reported recovering high-grade military weapons, ammunition, and military plans involving foreign nationals designed to disrupt the post-election transition.
Among the 11 individuals arrested was Patrick Mwansa, husband of Tasila Lungu (daughter of former President Edgar Lungu), alongside other key political figures now held across police stations in Lusaka.
Counting was temporarily halted on Friday due to alleged attacks on polling staff and ballot theft. The brief suspension drew sharp criticism from international observer groups.
SADC observers warned that pausing vote tallying created "uncertainty and anxiety." EU chief observer Michael McNamara stated interruptions must be transparent, legally grounded, and proportionate.
While voting was competitive, the EU noted an uneven playing field, citing state media bias favoring the ruling party and late legal changes that restricted opposition activity.
A Democratic Tradition Under Pressure
Zambia has long served as a benchmark for peaceful democratic transitions in Southern Africa. However, the raid on opposition leadership, gunfire exchange in Lusaka, and temporary halts in vote counting present a profound stress test for the nation's democratic credentials. As President Hichilema approaches victory, restoring public trust and ensuring legal transparency regarding the arrested figures remains imperative.
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