By Ollus Ndomu
Lusaka, Zambia – Former President Edgar Lungu has accused the Zambian government of planning to arrest him under dubious circumstances, following reports that the police have opened 25 dockets against him based on complaints from members of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Lungu expressed concerns about the police’s alleged intentions to arrest him unexpectedly in the middle of the night, describing the move as an ambush meant to embarrass and detain him forcefully.
“My question is, why are President Hakainde Hichilema and the Zambia Police Inspector General planning to ambush me at night, abduct, embarrass, and forcefully detain me like a hardcore criminal?” Lungu asked in his statement. “Where is the respect for the office of the former President in Zambia today if a sitting president can endorse a malicious ambush and barbaric arrest of a former head of state in the fashion I hear?”
Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 until his defeat in the 2021 elections, voiced his frustration over what he perceives as continuous harassment by the state since leaving office.
He cited various instances of what he termed unconstitutional actions, including being barred from simple morning workouts, denied the right to travel, and prevented from making courtesy calls.
“I am practically under ‘house arrest’ for no reason. My appeal is straightforward: call me, and I will make myself available any day, any time during daylight hours,” he said.
The former president emphasized that he has not committed any crime that would justify such measures and criticized President Hichilema for allegedly disregarding the rule of law and constitutional democratic values by using law enforcement agencies to target political critics.
Lungu called on Zambians to stand up in defense of peace, democracy, and the constitution, warning against the weaponization of law enforcement.
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa has not yet commented on Lungu’s allegations. However, the situation has heightened political tensions in the country, as the former president’s supporters rally behind him and opposition voices express concerns over potential abuses of power.
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