from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE second-placed candidate in the August presidential elections, Brian Mundubile, and 17 others facing treason charges will have their case heard from October 16 to November 6.
This follows a petition filed against the state by the political detainees’ lawyers, citing gross violations of their constitutional rights through lengthy detention without being brought before the courts of law for plea and trial.
The constitutional rights violation is in regard to the charges and the subsequent incarceration at Mukobeko Maximum Prison, 150km north of Lusaka.
Muhabi Lungu, Acting Secretary General of the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance, confirmed the dates of the hearing.
“They will appear before three judges of the High Court,” the official said.
Lungu noted that, as of Friday, Mundubile and the other opposition members, including his deputy Makebi Zulu, had been illegally detained without a day in court for 42 days.
They were arrested during a raid at Mundubile’s house during the elections.
State security forces alleged they had established that the men were attempting to overthrow the government and that an arms cache was allegedly found.
The opposition claims the charges are trumped up.
This has pitted the government of President Hakainde Hichilema against the Commonwealth and the United Nations, among others.
The problems afflicting the main opposition have heightened after the resignation of Dr Chris Zumani Zimba as Secretary General.
Lungu has been appointed in a caretaker capacity after Zimba’s stepping down following an earlier suspension.
“In good faith, I created Tonse Alliance as God’s vessel and pushed its agenda this far,” Zimba said.
“But in order to avoid unhealthy conflicts and evil schemes from rival camps, I hereby resign from Tonse Alliance in peace. I wish everyone God’s grace. It is well with my soul.”
Zimba fell out with the party leadership after proposing dialogue with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) as a way of resolving the Southern African country’s post-election crisis.
– CAJ News