Zambia to petition regional bodies over alleged threats from Zimbabwe

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The Zambian government is set to approach the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN) with serious allegations against Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party.

The accusations involve claims that Zanu PF is collaborating with opposition figures in Zambia to orchestrate an assassination plot against President Hakainde Hichilema.

Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo revealed this move during a protest rally in Zambia, where demonstrators voiced concerns over Zimbabwe’s alleged interference in Zambian politics.

Matambo disclosed that Zanu PF’s Secretary for Finance, Patrick Chinamasa, had purportedly confessed to playing a role in the death of Zambia’s third President, Levy Mwanawasa, and is now allegedly involved in a plot against Hichilema.

“I have received petitions regarding the threats on President Hichilema’s life, attributed to Chinamasa and Rutendo Matinyanyire,” Matambo said. “These petitions will be forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for escalation to SADC, AU, and the UN.

Chinamasa has purportedly admitted to killing President Mwanawasa and is now reportedly scheming to endanger President Hichilema’s life.”

The minister also suggested that certain opposition figures in Zambia might be collaborating with Chinamasa to destabilize the country.

The allegations come amid heightened tensions between Zambia and Zimbabwe, particularly following the recent Zimbabwean elections.

Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa, when approached for comments, referred inquiries to Chinamasa, who has been unreachable by phone. Meanwhile, Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters have been vocal in condemning Zanu PF’s alleged interference. At the reopening of the Kongola copper mines in Chingola and Chililabombwe, UPND supporters accused Zanu PF, including Chinamasa, of attempting to destabilize Zambia.

The tensions have been exacerbated by recent events involving the SADC Troika on Politics, Defence, and Security, of which Hichilema is the chairperson. Hichilema had appointed former Zambian Vice-President Nevers Mumba to lead the SADC election observer mission for Zimbabwe’s recent elections.

Mumba’s mission released a critical report, claiming that the Zimbabwean elections failed to meet democratic standards as set by the region and the international community.

Hichilema subsequently boycotted Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration last week, which was instead attended by Mnangagwa’s predecessor and rival, Edgar Lungu.

In the wake of the damning election report, Zimbabwean officials have launched a campaign to discredit both Hichilema and Mumba, labeling them as “Western puppets.”

This has further strained the relations between the two neighboring nations, which historically shared close ties during the colonial era as Southern and Northern Rhodesia.

The unfolding situation highlights the growing diplomatic rift between Zambia and Zimbabwe and underscores the need for international mediation to address these escalating tensions.