Zambian authorities say police arrested several senior opposition figures on the night of last week’s general elections, accusing them of posing a threat to national security.
Votes were still being counted on Monday following Thursday’s presidential and parliamentary elections, with preliminary results showing President Hakainde Hichilema in the lead.
The election is being closely watched as a test of whether Hichilema’s economic progress since Zambia’s debt crisis will be enough to secure him a second term.
His main challenger, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, said heavily armed security personnel raided his residence after the election. He described the incident as an attempt on his life.
The government, however, said Mundubile was present when 11 people were arrested and alleged that shots had been fired from the premises at law enforcement officers, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Authorities also claimed that some of those arrested were found with high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials allegedly intended for an armed uprising. The government said the individuals had been under surveillance for several months.
Six people were identified by the government as being in custody, including a spokesperson for Mundubile. The others were described as senior members of political parties in Zambia.
Opposition representatives had previously called for the safe return of members of Mundubile’s inner circle, whom they said had been detained or had gone missing.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have accused the government of increasing repression ahead of the election, including imposing restrictions on political meetings and campaign activities. The government has denied the allegations.
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