Zambian authorities closed the country’s top courts on Monday, August 24, coinciding with the final day for the opposition to file a legal challenge against the disputed presidential election results.
The shutdown affected courts in Lusaka and several other parts of the country, with police deployed at some judicial facilities.
The judiciary said the closure was prompted by security concerns. A memorandum from the chief administrator advised court staff not to report to work, while police said security assessments were ongoing without providing further details.
The development came as opposition leader Brian Mundubile prepared to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in the August 13 presidential election.
Hichilema was declared the winner with about 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received roughly 38%. Mundubile has alleged irregularities and said he intended to petition the Constitutional Court.
The timing of the court closures has raised concerns among legal and civil society groups, who questioned whether the shutdown could interfere with the opposition’s constitutional right to challenge the election results.
However, there was no confirmed evidence that President Hichilema personally ordered the courts to be closed to block the petition; official explanations attributed the closure to security concerns.
