Zambian authorities have arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, over an alleged plot to stage an armed insurrection, just days after a closely watched presidential election.
The arrests followed a security raid in the capital, Lusaka, where authorities said they seized military-grade weapons, ammunition and other equipment.
Patrick Kangwa, Zambia’s top civil servant, said opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile was also present at the location during the operation.
Mundubile, who is trailing incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema as votes continue to be counted from Thursday’s election, rejected the government’s accusations as fabricated and accused security forces of attempting to kill him.
Kangwa said those detained were allegedly linked to “military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps,” describing the suspected activities as a serious threat to national security.
Authorities said gunfire was exchanged after shots were fired at officers during the operation.
Among those arrested was Patrick Mwansa, the husband of Tasila Lungu, daughter of former President Edgar Lungu, as well as several other political figures. The suspects are being held at police stations across Lusaka.
Mundubile denied that any militia or armed group was operating from his residence.
He told the BBC that security personnel used an armoured vehicle to break through the property’s gate before forcing their way into the house and opening fire.
Mundubile claimed two shots were fired in his direction and described the raid as an attempt on his life.
He also said former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot during the operation while Kafwaya’s wife was present. Mundubile said Kafwaya was bleeding heavily when officers took him away and that his current whereabouts were unclear.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed Mundubile’s account of the shooting.
The raid has added to political tensions as Zambia waits for final election results.
With results declared from more than half of the country’s constituencies, Hichilema remains ahead of Mundubile.
Mundubile had earlier declared victory based on what he said was his campaign’s parallel vote tabulation and alleged irregularities in the electoral process. He has not provided detailed evidence supporting claims that the overall result was manipulated.
Zambian authorities have rejected allegations of vote rigging.
Election observers have said polling day was largely peaceful and orderly, while raising concerns about the wider political environment, including media access, recent electoral reforms and the use of state resources.
Mundubile has also alleged military interference at tallying centres and irregularities involving ballot boxes.
He later said army officers questioned him over videos he released about the election and alleged he was assaulted while in custody. Authorities denied the accusation.
Mundubile separately accused Tanzania of sending people into Zambia to interfere in the election. The Tanzanian government rejected the allegation as false and unfounded.
Zambia’s electoral commission briefly halted the counting and publication of results on Friday after reporting attacks on election workers and the theft of marked ballot papers.
The commission resumed the process later the same day after saying the security situation had been brought under control.
The temporary suspension drew concern from international observers.
The Southern African Development Community said the interruption had contributed to uncertainty and anxiety, while the European Union’s election mission said any suspension of counting should be clearly justified, legally grounded and proportionate.
EU chief observer Michael McNamara said the election had been genuinely competitive but took place in what he described as a constrained democratic environment.
The mission also cited an uneven campaign environment and said state media coverage heavily favoured the ruling party.
Security has since been increased in parts of Lusaka as counting continues and Zambia awaits the final presidential result.