Zambia AG: Mundubile, Others Not Political Prisoners, Face Treason Charges

Mundubile, Makebi and others not political prisoners — AG THE Acting Attorney General of Zambia, Marshal Muchende, says persons recently apprehended by the Zambia Police Service are not political prisoners. His remarks, like others issued by the Government, come in light of a report by the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Gina Romero, who called on the Zambian Government to release Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and others charged with treason, describing the charges as “concocted.” In a statement, Muchende says the accused persons have been arrested and charged with serious offences, including treason and terrorism. He argues that the charges stem from allegations of sponsoring, aiding and abetting unlawful paramilitary training. Muchende says the Government does not consider the arrests and prosecutions to be politically motivated, arguing that the accused are being subjected to due process of the law in relation to the alleged offences. On September 2, Romero raised concerns over what she described as a shrinking civic space in Zambia, citing what she said were widespread arbitrary arrests of opposition leaders, parliamentarians, civil society actors and others. Romero said a healthy democracy requires all voices, including those of opposition members and journalists, to be able to speak freely without fear. -TV Yatu | September 4, 2026.