Security forces in Zambia have seized weapons and arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, allegedly involved in an insurrection plot, the government has said.
The leading opposition candidate in last Thursday’s presidential election, Brian Mundubile, was also found at the scene of the raid in the capital, Lusaka, according to the country’s top civil servant Patrick Kangwa.
Mundubile described Friday night’s raid as “an attempt on my life” adding that “colleagues were shot” in his presence.
With results from more than half of the constituencies, he is trailing incumbent Hakainde Hichilema.
Mundubile had earlier claimed victory and alleged there were voting irregularities.
But he has not provided detailed evidence of these or of who was shot on Friday.
In fact, tangible evidence to back up accusations made by the opposition, government and the electoral commission in the wake of Thursday vote has been lacking.
The authorities denied the claims of vote rigging and in preliminary statements observers described election day as largely peaceful and orderly.
They did however raise concerns about late electoral reforms, media freedom and access to the media in the run-up to the poll.
Giving more details about the raid, Kangwa said the individuals arrested were connected to “military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps”.
He added that they posed “a serious threat to state security” and held “high-grade military weapons”, ammunition and other materials intended for use in an armed insurrection.
He alleged that shots were fired at law enforcement officers leading to an exchange of fire.
Among those arrested were Patrick Mwansa, the husband of Tasila Lungu, the daughter of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, and other politicians.
