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The High Court and Supreme Court complex, which also houses the Constitutional Court, has been barricaded with yellow “crime scene” tape and closed amid heightened security on the final day for opposition presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile, to file a petition challenging President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in the Aug. 13 election.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and National Prosecution Authority (NPA) premises are also closed, with security personnel deployed around the institutions.
Mundubile, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate, was expected to file his petition today, Aug. 24, the deadline for challenging the presidential election results.
Security personnel and an armoured police vehicle have been deployed at the Lusaka High Court premises, with the entrance cordoned off.
A notice issued over the closure states that, for security reasons, all members of staff have been advised not to report for work today, with further guidance to be issued once the situation is contained.
The Lusaka Subordinate Court complex, however, remains open, although there was little activity as prosecutors were unavailable to proceed with matters following the closure of the NPA.
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The reason for the closure of the High Court complex and other key government institutions was not immediately clear.
Meanwhile, losing independent presidential candidate, Give Katuta, has demanded accountability from the government over the closure of key public institutions.
Katuta said the High Court and Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security headquarters appeared to have been declared crime scenes, judging by the yellow tape surrounding the premises.
“What has led to our key public institutions being closed and declared crime scenes without any explanation to the people?” she asked.
Katuta said Zambians had a right to know why access had been restricted, what was being investigated and how long the disruption would last.
She urged citizens to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting an explanation from the authorities.
“Zambia deserves transparency, not silence,” she said.
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