Zambian security forces have arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, and seized weapons and ammunition in what the government says was an alleged plot to stage an insurrection.
The arrests came days after Zambia held its presidential election on Thursday, with vote counting still underway.
The country’s top civil servant, Patrick Kangwa, said security forces carried out a raid in the capital, Lusaka, where they reportedly discovered high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials allegedly intended for an armed uprising.
Among those found at the location was leading opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who is currently trailing incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema in preliminary results from more than half of the constituencies.
Zambia arrests opposition figures after election
Mundubile described the Friday night operation as an attempt on his life and said colleagues were shot during the raid.
Kangwa, however, said the people arrested were allegedly connected to military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps.
He said the activities represented a serious threat to national security.
According to the government, gunfire was exchanged after shots were allegedly fired at law enforcement officers during the operation.
The suspects have been detained at different police stations across Lusaka.
Among those arrested is Patrick Mwansa, the husband of Tasila Lungu, daughter of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Several other politicians were also reportedly taken into custody.
Opposition candidate disputes election process
The arrests have taken place as Zambia continues counting votes from the presidential election.
Mundubile had earlier claimed that he had won the election and raised allegations of irregularities in the voting process.
With results from more than half of the constituencies counted, however, preliminary figures show him behind incumbent Hakainde Hichilema.
The authorities have rejected allegations of widespread electoral wrongdoing.
Election observers described polling day as generally peaceful and orderly, although they raised concerns about electoral reforms introduced late in the process, media freedom and access to the media ahead of the vote.
Mundubile raises further allegations
Mundubile has made several claims regarding the electoral process, including allegations of military involvement at vote-tallying centres and irregularities involving ballot boxes.
He later said Zambian army officers questioned him over two videos he had released. The opposition candidate also alleged that he was assaulted while in custody, a claim authorities denied.
Mundubile additionally accused Tanzania of sending people into Zambia to interfere with the election. The Tanzanian government rejected the allegation as false and unfounded.
Zambia election results continue after brief suspension
Zambia’s electoral commission temporarily halted the counting and announcement of results on Friday.
The commission cited violence against election officials and the theft of marked ballot papers as reasons for the suspension.
The suspension was lifted later the same day after authorities said the security threat had been brought under control.
The country has remained broadly calm as voters await the final results, although the government’s announcement of the alleged insurrection plot has created additional uncertainty.
Security presence has also been increased in parts of Lusaka following the arrests.
Authorities have not indicated how long the suspects will remain in custody or what specific charges they will face.
