By Francis Maingaila
LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Two leaders of Zambia’s defeated United Party for National Development (UPND) were arrested Wednesday, police said.
Party President Hakainde Hichilema and deputy Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba were charged with seditious practices and unlawful assembly in the country’s Copperbelt province.
Provincial Police Commissioner Charity Katanga said they were being held at Luanshya police station and would soon appear in court.
“I wish to confirm the arrest of Hakainde Hichilema and Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, both of the UPND,” she said in a statement. “The accused have been jointly charged with the offences of seditious practices and unlawful assembly contrary to the laws of Zambia.”
Their lawyer, Jack Mwiimbu, told reporters at a news conference that they would remain in detention overnight after police refused bail. He said they were charged following a five-hour interrogation.
“The only option to get them out of police custody is to make them appear before a judge and apply for bail but this will depend on how fast the prosecutors will process the indictment,” Mwiimbu said.
Following the arrests, UPND supporters in Copperbelt fought running battles with the police, who used tear gas and water cannon, Katanga said.
The arrests came after the pair were summoned over a complaint they were trying to incite people to reject the result of August’s presidential election, which saw President Edgar Lungu returned to office after a bitter and violent campaign.
The UPND has rejected the election result and has claimed that “stolen votes” resulted in Lungu’s victory. He was declared the winner with 50.3 percent against Hichilema’s 47.63 percent.
Clashes were reported between UPND supporters and Lungu's followers after the announcement of the result and police said 100 had been arrested.