Zambia opposition leaders arrested on charges of espionage, inciting tribal war

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) – Zambian authorities have arrested an opposition leader, two deputies, and an activist on charges of espionage and inciting tribal war.

Forum for Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi, lawmakers Munir Zulu and Maureen Mabonga, and activist Brebner Changala were all held and charged with espionage that violates Section 3 (C), Chapter 111 of Zambia’s State Security Act.

“Police have also charged and arrested two members of parliament, including Dan Pule (leader of the Christian Democratic Party), with the offense of proposing tribal war contrary to Section 46, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia,” deputy police spokesman Danny Mwale said in a statement in the capital Lusaka on Thursday.

“The suspects remain in police custody waiting for a court appearance,” he added.

Mwale on Wednesday announced that Pule, who is also a priest, had been arrested and charged on one count of using hate speech and another count of seditious practices, for which he had been detained in custody awaiting a court appearance.

He added that the police had arrested Zulu and Mabonga on hate speech and sedition charges, while Nawakwi and Changala were charged with sedition.

All the suspects were in police custody waiting to appear in court, making the espionage charge an additional one.

However, Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu claimed Wednesday that the arrests were politically motivated. He said the five were merely venting anger over the alleged abduction of Emmanuel Banda, an independent member of parliament in Lusaka last week.

Announcing that Banda had been found Monday, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jacob Mwiimbu cautioned against using the case to issue alarming statements that could harm national peace and security.

The Law Association of Zambia, the Council of Churches in Zambia, the Islamic Supreme Council and the ruling United Party for National Development were among many that condemned the tribal talk that emanated from Banda’s disappearance.