Four opposition politicians in Zambia including a former justice minister have been arrested by police in the past 24 hours on various charges, raising fears that democracy is under threat.
Emmanuel Mwamba, of the Patriotic Front (PF), the main opposition party, was arrested following a Facebook post in which he called for anti-government protests.
A police statement said he had incited hatred and violence. Former Justice Minister Given Lubinda – also of the PF – was accused of refusing to return his diplomatic passport.
A third PF member, Raphael Nakachinda, was charged with espionage, as was Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe, after appearing in a documentary broadcast by Zimbabwe’s state television network after the election.
Civil society groups, the Catholic Church and the Law Society of Zambia say democratic space is shrinking in Zambia. The government denies this allegation.