World News

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile in police custody following disputed election

Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, surrendered to authorities after being under United Nations protection in Lusaka.

Updated Aug 27, 2026 · 17:26 UTC1 reports

The short version

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu have surrendered to police and are currently undergoing questioning.
The pair had been in hiding under United Nations protection following a disputed August 13 presidential election in which incumbent Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner.
The surrenders follow police raids and the closure of Zambia's judiciary, which the government shut down citing security concerns on the final day allowed for court challenges to the election.

State broadcaster ZNBC reported that Mundubile and Zulu surrendered to police and are being interviewed by law enforcement in the presence of their attorneys.[Deutsche Welle]
The opposition leaders had been under UN protection in Lusaka before surrendering to the authorities.[Deutsche Welle]
Police sought the pair for questioning regarding alleged links to activities threatening national security following the August 13 presidential election.[Deutsche Welle]
Mundubile went into hiding after police conducted post-election raids on his home and other opposition locations, resulting in 11 arrests and the fatal shooting of former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.[Deutsche Welle]
On the legal deadline to issue a court challenge to the election results, Zambia closed its entire judiciary, citing security reasons.[Deutsche Welle]
Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema, who was declared the winner with approximately 60% of the vote, is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term on September 1.[Deutsche Welle]

The specific evidence behind the government's allegations of national security offenses and insurgency plots remains undisclosed, with Mundubile dismissing the claims as fabricated.[Deutsche Welle]