Katele Kalumba alleges UPND plot to arrest him for treason as party, police deny knowledge

Former home affairs minister Katele Kalumba says he has uncovered a scheme by United Party for National Development officials to have him arrested and charged with treason, an allegation both the ruling party and police say they know nothing about.

Kalumba told journalists that he had received information suggesting instructions had already been issued for his arrest, and that his name had been linked, alongside that of former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, to claims of plotting a coup d’état. He dismissed the suggestion outright, saying it defied both logic and his own political history.

“It is extremely annoying that people want to accuse me and individuals like former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu of plotting a coup d’état,” Kalumba said. “My name has come up that we were trying to plot a coup, which to me is actually nonsense.”

He accused the current administration of running what he described as a witch-hunt aimed at silencing critical voices, and challenged law enforcement agencies to produce evidence for any claims that he had been involved in militia activity. He said investigators should be prepared to prove, rather than simply assert, that offensive weapons had been found or that anything untoward had taken place.

Kalumba pointed to his own record with the ruling party as evidence against the allegations, noting that he had previously supported UPND in Chienge and had contributed financially to the party. He said it was upsetting that his name and Chungu’s were now being associated with illegality after that history of support.

UPND media director Mark Simuuwe, when contacted for comment, said the party had no knowledge of any such plot. He said the investigation and apprehension of lawbreakers fell squarely within the mandate of law enforcement agencies rather than the party itself.

“As UPND, we are not aware of such an activity because, as you are aware, such undertakings are being conducted by law enforcement agencies and not the party,” Simuuwe said.

Zambia Police Service deputy public relations officer Chipo Kaitisha gave a similarly cautious response when asked about Kalumba’s claims, saying her office had no knowledge of any scheme to arrest or detain him, though she said she would look into the matter further.

“I am not aware of any plot to arrest Dr Kalumba. But I will find out,” Kaitisha said.

The allegation surfaces at a moment when concerns over the treatment of opposition and other political figures are already running high. Eleven people arrested in connection with a security operation at opposition leader Brian Mundubile’s Kabulonga residence face treason charges that carry no possibility of bail, while Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu remain at United Nations premises in Lusaka after being summoned for questioning rather than formally charged.

Against that backdrop, the Apostles Council of Churches in Zambia has urged government to extend a hand of reconciliation to achieve national unity and healing following the election. Separately, Apostle Zulu has warned that continued arrests and police summonses of opposition-linked figures risk deepening division rather than promoting the national healing political leaders say they want.

Kalumba’s allegation cannot currently be verified independently, and neither UPND nor police have confirmed any arrest plan or investigation targeting him. Whether the claim develops into a formal case, or fades as an unconfirmed rumour, will likely depend on whether either side produces evidence to support their respective positions in the days ahead.