Leader of Zambia's Economic and Equity Party Chilufya Tayali, is the latest opposition figure to be arrested for weighing in on the treason case against main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema.
Hichilema was taken into police custody this week for allegedly refusing to give way to Lungu's motorcade as it passed through Mongo, 500 km (300 miles) west of the capital Lusaka, last Saturday.
He appeared in court on Tuesday morning where for mention and explanation of the treason charge he has been slapped together with five others.
His arrest has been strongly condemned by civil group and political commentators who say the charges will fuel tensions.
The election campaign was marked by clashes between supporters of Lungu's Patriotic Front (PF) party and the UPND.
Hichilema's lawyer Jack Mwiimbu, however, said that he had seen his client on Wednesday but had since been prevented from visiting him.
He said Obasanjo was not being "sincere" and accused him and unnamed individuals under the auspices of a Johannesburg-based think-tank, the Brenthurst Foundation, of trying to secure Lungu's removal from power by helping the opposition.
Piers Morgan delivers ruthless Twitter verdict on Wenger situation at Arsenal
Arsenal remain sixth in the table but are now closer to Palace in 16th place than they are to Premier League leaders Chelsea. "We all did.
The government has offered no further details on the alleged plot.
State prosecutors admitted that the charge was not properly presented and asked the court for permission to amend it. Hichilema remains in detention.
"Importantly‚ the Minister should urge that Zambian government to give access to independent medical personnel to assess Hichilema's health and to ensure that his human rights are being upheld‚" said DA spokesman on worldwide relations and cooperation Stevens Mokgalapa. "The rulings in favour of the UPND defence team all point to that but we just have to wait for the courts to make the final verdict". Lungu has beaten Hichilema, an economist and wealthy businessman who goes by "HH", narrowly in two presidential elections, including the one in 2016 by a razor-thin margin.
Outside the court, police fired tear gas to disperse supporters of the opposition leader.
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance on Sunday called on International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to engage with the Zambian government over the very concerning situation of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema. The pair were granted bail after being charged with sedition.
Zambia's economy has been depressed for years by low commodity prices, mine closures, rising unemployment, power shortages and soaring food prices that Hichilema blames on mismanagement by Lungu.




Comments