Zambian authorities have arrested Archbishop Alick Banda, a prominent Catholic leader known for his criticism of President Hakainde Hichilema, marking a continuation of legal actions targeting opposition figures since the country’s recent election. Banda, who has served as Archbishop of Lusaka since 2018, was taken into custody on Monday by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), an agency responsible for investigating crimes including money laundering and financial offenses.

The arrest stems from allegations regarding a Toyota Hilux vehicle reportedly gifted to Banda by Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s former president and predecessor to Hichilema. The DEC claims the vehicle is “reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority.” Banda has denied any wrongdoing and was subsequently released on bail, with his trial scheduled to begin in November.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on critics and opposition figures following the August 13 presidential election, which secured Hichilema a second term in office. Among those detained is Brian Mundubile, the leading opposition candidate in the election who finished a distant second. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, face treason charges but have yet to stand trial.

Shortly after the election, security forces raided Mundubile’s residence, arresting eleven individuals in an operation that resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister. Mundubile sought refuge with an international organization before surrendering to authorities two weeks later.

The arrests of Banda, Mundubile, and others close to the opposition have raised concerns about political repression amid Zambia’s transition, with critics suggesting the government is using legal mechanisms to silence dissent. The government, however, maintains that the actions are lawful and necessary to address alleged corruption and security threats. The legal proceedings against these figures are ongoing, with trials expected to shape the country’s political environment in the coming months.