Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu Summoned by Police

The Zambia Police Service has formally summoned NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu for questioning in connection with alleged links to activities police say pose a threat to national security, according to a statement issued 20 August by Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba.

The statement said Zambia Police, working with other law enforcement agencies as a joint team, has been investigating "serious national security threats" for what it described as the past few years, and that an official call-out has been served on Mundubile and Zulu's advocates, with police expressing hope they "will avail themselves on the specified date."

The statement said the purpose of the interview is to establish what link, if any, exists between the two men and "various alarming activities" that have taken place in the country, some of which police said occurred on premises owned, managed or linked to Mundubile or Zulu.

Police confirmed they are aware of the pair's current location, saying the two "have sought refuge under International Law with a known International Organisation," a reference consistent with earlier reporting MUVI has covered that Mundubile and Zulu are under the protection of an international human rights body following threats made against them. The statement said government has already communicated with that organisation and given assurances that Mundubile and Zulu "are entitled to the due process of the law and their fundamental human rights" and that "there is no harm intended to be done on them in any way."

The statement also carried a warning. Should "a person of interest" fail to avail themselves to police or respond "with threats, violence or blatant attack on law enforcement officers," it said, "applicable laws and proportionate measures will be taken" to ensure compliance with lawful summons. Police said the broader investigation includes crimes of terrorism and terrorist financing, and cautioned members of the public against harbouring, collaborating with or financially assisting anyone regarded as a person of interest to police, warning that such conduct could see individuals or organisations treated as accessories and subject to criminal sanctions.

Police said they are also likely to summon other members of the public believed to hold information of value to the investigation, and urged cooperation whenever people are lawfully called upon.

The summons lands amid an already fraught post-election period. Mundubile has rejected the results of the 13 August election, which the Electoral Commission of Zambia declared in President Hakainde Hichilema's favour, and the Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance has said it intends to petition the Constitutional Court, developments MUVI has reported on separately.

It also follows the confirmed death of former Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya during a security operation at a Kabulonga residence connected to Mundubile, and the subsequent detention of eleven other people on suspicion of treason, matters MUVI has covered in depth. MUVI has not independently verified the specific allegations linking Mundubile and Zulu to the activities described in Wednesday's statement, and has sought comment from their legal representatives.