LUSAKA — Zambian police detained opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu on Thursday over allegations of treason. Mundubile surrendered to police in Lusaka alongside Zulu after seeking refuge for two weeks.

Police recorded "warn and caution" statements from Mundubile and Zulu, a procedure that typically precedes formal charges. The two men are being held in police custody following their surrender.

The opposition alliance stated that Mundubile and Zulu had sought shelter at a United Nations building in Lusaka before turning themselves in. Their detention comes as President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to be inaugurated for a second five-year term next week.

Mundubile said he went into hiding after disputing the election results due to fear for his life. Security forces raided his home the day after the August 13 election.

Brian Mundubile disputed the authorities' account of the raid, stating that opposition officials were unarmed and shot at by security forces. He has denied government allegations that the opposition was planning an insurgency.

Quoted Mundubile dismissing allegations of insurgency or militia activity as "fabricated." U.N. rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern in a statement last week about the arrests of Zambian opposition figures.

"The United Nations has been assured by the government that the two individuals will be treated in full respect of applicable rights and obligations under national and international law on due process and a fair trial," spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said. Dujarric added that the U.N. would monitor the situation closely.

The legal pathway to challenge the election outcome faced obstacles this week. Zambia closed its entire judiciary on Monday, citing "security reasons." Monday was the last day for filing an objection to the election outcome under Article 103 of the Zambian Constitution.

Chief Justice Mumba Malila stated he had received a petition from a member of the public via his private email address. Malila called the email submission "highly irregular" but stated he had referred it to the Constitutional Court for consideration.

Timeline

On August 13, 2026, Brian Mundubile received approximately 38 percent of the vote in the August 13 presidential election. On the same day, President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner of the August 13 presidential election with approximately 60 percent of the vote. Vote counting in the election was suspended for hours due to violence at some counting stations and the alleged theft of ballot boxes.

On August 14, 2026, security forces raided Brian Mundubile's home the day after the August 13 election. Former Cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was fatally shot during the raid on Mundubile's home. Authorities arrested 11 people during the raid on Mundubile's home.

Authorities stated that AK-47 assault rifles and other military equipment were found at Mundubile's property during the raid. Authorities stated that security officers were shot at and returned fire during the raid.

What's New

The window for losing presidential candidate Brian Mundubile to petition the results of the August 13 general election closes today with the closure of court premises in Lusaka and several other parts of the country, with police deployed at some of the affected judicial facilities. Mundubile promised to challenge the election result in court. Mundubile had vowed to challenge the election result.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the details regarding Brian Mundubile. The primary source and Brian Mundubile has rejected the election results, claiming irregularities including the alleged removal of vote tally papers from some polling stations by unauthorized personnel.

Why It Matters

The closure of the judiciary on the final day for filing election petitions effectively blocked legal challenges to the August 13 presidential election. This action prevented opposition leader Brian Mundubile from formally contesting the results in court through standard procedures. The Constitutional Court confirmed it had not received any petition challenging the election outcome through official channels.

Under Article 104 of the Zambian Constitution, filing an election petition automatically pauses the presidential swearing-in. With no formal petition filed, President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to be inaugurated for a second five-year term next week. The detention of Mundubile and his running mate on treason charges further complicates the political landscape as the country prepares for the transition of power.