Zambia opposition rejects militia claims as Hichilema leads vote count

Zambia's main opposition party has vehemently rejected government claims that its members - including some under arrest - were involved in militia or insurgent activity surrounding the recent elections. The opposition maintains that the accusations are false and baseless.

On August 13, the day of the vote, police conducted a raid in response to a suspected militia posing a threat to state security. They arrested 11 individuals, among them opposition figures, during the operation. The main opposition party, led by former government minister Brian Mundubile, claims that the raid took place at his residence. Eyewitnesses report that shots were fired and a parliamentarian was struck during the incident.

Despite the government's assertions that the security operation took place on August 13, the opposition party refutes this claim, stating that it transpired on the following day. They argue that the arrestees have been found in possession of high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials intended for use in armed insurrection, posing a serious threat to state security.

Among those charged and currently in custody are six opposition figures. Preliminary results, announced late on August 14, indicate that incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema had secured nearly 60 percent of the votes after counting ballots from 135 of the 226 constituencies. To win outright, a candidate must obtain more than 50 percent of the votes, necessitating a runoff if this threshold is not met.