By Brian Matambo | Media Director

The Department of Immigration has arrested Tonse Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila and placed him in custody over questions surrounding his immigration status, in the latest arrest involving senior members of Zambia’s opposition.

Immigration Department Chief Public Relations Officer Namati Nshinka confirmed that Mr Mukandila is in the Department’s custody while investigations continue.

The arrest is particularly extraordinary because Mr Mukandila maintains that he is a Zambian citizen from Luapula Province, raising serious questions about why immigration authorities are being used to investigate the status of a prominent opposition leader.

It comes amid an escalating post-election crackdown against the Tonse-Pamodzi opposition following the disputed 13 August General Election. Eleven opposition figures have already been arrested following the election-night security operation, while the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over the arrests and called on Zambian authorities to respect due process and end arbitrary detention.

The timing is significant. Presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has rejected the declared election result and announced that he intends to petition the outcome in court, alleging serious electoral irregularities. The European Union Election Observation Mission also identified transparency concerns, delays and procedural shortcomings in the tabulation process.

The opposition has accused the UPND administration of using arrests, investigations and what it describes as fabricated allegations against Mundubile, his running mate Makebi Zulu and their political associates to cripple the leadership preparing to challenge the election results.

Mukandila’s detention now adds another senior Tonse Alliance official to the growing list of opposition figures caught in the post-election dragnet.