Dr Abigale Mupambi, International Relations Expert
By Mumba Neta
LUSAKA — Zambia’s opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu have been slapped with fresh sedition charges over social media posts made during the disputed August 13 election, piling further legal pressure on the two leaders already locked in a treason case.
The new allegations were served on the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) leaders on Friday after police moved them from Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility to Kabwe Central Police Station.
Their lawyer, Leon Lemba, said officers from Crime One formally informed the pair of the additional charges before they were returned to prison.
Mundubile is accused of posting election-related information on Facebook in which he cited the party’s Parallel Vote Tabulation results and claimed NRPUP was leading. He also allegedly called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to resume vote counting after the process had reportedly stalled for several hours.
Zulu faces a separate allegation arising from a social media post in which he told party supporters that Mundubile was preparing to address the nation and urged them to remain on standby.
According to Lemba, prosecutors regard the two posts as seditious practices.
The latest charges dramatically widen the legal battle facing the opposition leaders, who have been in custody since their arrest on August 27. Mundubile and Zulu are among 18 suspects already facing treason allegations stemming from claims that they were involved in militia activities.
The sedition allegations now place the election-related social media activity at the centre of another criminal case, with the opposition figures facing serious charges over communications made during a tense electoral period.
International relations expert Dr. Abigale Mupambi said the crackdown points to a broader redefinition of democracy in Zambia.
“The continuous crackdown in Zambia may suggest that Lusaka is redefining the very terms and meaning of democracy, cloaking itself in sovereignty. In doing so, it is drawing new lines around human rights and human freedoms, including the freedoms of association and of speech,” Dr. Mupambi said.
Dr. Mupambi, a renowned political scientist and international relations expert who recently scooped an Excellence Platinum Award at the Global Business Achievers Network 2026 Awards for her outstanding voice in shaping national, regional and international policy discourse, also raised concern over reports that six people have had their passports cancelled.
“In addition to those who have been jailed, we understand that six people have had their passports cancelled, effectively rendering them ‘de facto’ stateless. While the state does have such powers, this still appears extreme, particularly given that little information has been shared about what triggered these actions,” she said.
She called on President Hakainde Hichilema to de-escalate tensions.
“I believe President Hakainde Hichilema must now tone down the aggression. As the incumbent, there is no need to use a hammer to crush a fly. He must bury the hatchet, stop digging graves, and focus on uniting the people of Zambia. The priority should be to rally the nation toward national cohesion and development,” Dr. Mupambi said.
“The outcry from citizens grows louder with each passing day. Yes, the government may be legally correct and in full control under Zambian domestic law. However, it remains subordinate to the tenets of international law, the law of nature, and general humanity. Law must not only be said to be right. It must be seen to be right, and it must be felt to be right as it settles within the community for the good of society and humanity,” she added.
The accused have not been convicted and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.