Zambia arrests 11 over alleged insurrection plot after Lusaka raid
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Zambian security forces arrest 11 people, including senior opposition figures, in a Lusaka raid and seize weapons linked to an alleged insurrection plot, the government says. Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, found at the scene, calls the accusations false and says officers shot at him during the raid on his home Friday. The arrests come as results from more than half of constituencies show Mundubile trailing incumbent Hakainde Hichilema in Thursday's presidential election.
Key Facts
- Zambian security forces arrested 11 people and seized weapons in Lusaka in connection with an alleged insurrection plot.
- Opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile was found at the scene and told the BBC that officers shot at him during the raid on his home Friday.
- With results from more than half of constituencies counted, Mundubile trails incumbent Hakainde Hichilema in Thursday's presidential election.
- Patrick Mwansa, husband of former President Edgar Lungu's daughter Tasila Lungu, was among those arrested.
- Mundubile said former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot during the raid and that his whereabouts are unknown.
The Government Account
Zambian security forces seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, allegedly involved in an insurrection plot, the government said. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa said the individuals were connected to "military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps" and held "high-grade military weapons", ammunition and other materials intended for use in an armed insurrection. Kangwa alleged that shots were fired at law enforcement officers, leading to an exchange of fire. Among those arrested were Patrick Mwansa, husband of Tasila Lungu, daughter of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, and other politicians; the suspects were being held in custody at police stations in Lusaka.
The Opposition Response
Brian Mundubile dismissed the accusations as "total fabrications" and said security forces staged an assassination attempt on his life during the raid at his home on Friday. He described armed personnel knocking down the gate with an armoured vehicle, breaking doors and windows and opening fire, saying "two shots" were directed at him. Mundubile said former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and bleeding while he and his wife were present, and that he urged the officers to take Kafwaya to hospital. He said 80 soldiers entered the house and that his family has not returned home since Friday because they feel unsafe.
The Vote Count
With results from more than half of constituencies announced, Mundubile trails incumbent Hakainde Hichilema in Thursday's presidential election. Mundubile had earlier claimed victory and alleged voting irregularities without providing detailed evidence. Authorities denied the claims of vote rigging, and preliminary statements by observers described election day as largely peaceful and orderly.
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Zambia arrests 11 over alleged insurrection plot after Lusaka raid
