Zambia Election Drama: NRPUP Members Arrested, Campaign Funds Seized by DEC

NRPUP Presidential Candidate Brian Mundubile has voiced significant concern over what he describes as a troubling pattern of arrests and detentions targeting his campaign members, media personnel, musicians, bloggers, and security teams. These incidents are occurring just ahead of the crucial August 13 general election, raising serious questions about the fairness of the electoral environment.

Mr. Mundubile highlighted several specific cases that have been brought to the party’s attention. These include the detention of musicians Chester and Felix, comedian Winston (popularly known as IDC), bloggers Rooney Kapya and Matthews Zubi, as well as Hannah Katontoka and Ambassador Martha Lungu. Additionally, Mr. Mundubile claims that a substantial number of its security team, specifically 34 members, remain in police custody in Mongu, further exacerbating the party's concerns.

In response to these detentions, Mr. Mundubile has issued a strong demand for a comprehensive explanation from the police regarding these actions. He insists that any individual suspected of an offense must be formally charged, granted immediate access to legal counsel and family members, and swiftly brought before a court of competent jurisdiction to ensure due process is followed. He also explicitly alleged that these arrests are part of a deliberate strategy to disrupt the NRPUP's election monitoring and voter protection structures, which are vital for a transparent election.

The presidential candidate further identified several individuals he believes are being specifically targeted due to their involvement in election management. These include George Chisanga, Kasonde Mwenda, Enock Roosevelt Tonga, Council Jonas Zimba, Japhen Mwakalombe, Sebastian Kopulande, Davis Chisopa, Mutotwe Kafwaya, and Counsel Kambwa Aongola. Mr. Mundubile expressed particular alarm about the status of Dr. Sebastian Kopulande, demanding that police clarify his whereabouts, inform his family and lawyers if he is indeed in custody, and disclose the specific allegations against him.

Compounding these challenges, the NRPUP has also revealed a significant financial setback: the seizure of approximately K5.5 million. According to the NRPUP Chairman, this money was crucial for the party's electoral preparations, with a substantial portion explicitly earmarked for facilitating electoral procedures.

The chairman clarified that the K5.5 million was intended for critical operational expenses, including payments for polling agents and election monitors stationed across the entire country. The remaining funds were designated to support various campaign activities and rallies in key areas such as Mazabuka, Choma, and Livingstone. The seizure has left the party without the necessary financial resources, severely impeding its ability to proceed with planned electoral operations, most notably the crucial deployment and logistical facilitation of its polling agents and monitors.

The NRPUP is urgently calling for this financial matter to be resolved, asserting that the seized funds were legitimate contributions from well-wishers intended to support its participation in the democratic electoral process. The party warns that the loss of these funds could significantly and negatively impact its overall preparations for the upcoming Thursday's election, potentially compromising its ability to effectively participate and monitor the vote.