By PETER SICHALI
HEAVILY armed Congolese security officers have arrested Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) president Nevers Mumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr Mumba was supposed to meet with General Joseph Kabila, former President of DRC ostensibly to seek financial support ahead of 2021 general elections in Zambia.
However, Gen Kabila did not show up and Dr Mumba was instead arrested by heavily armed security forces.
According to Daily Nation investigations, Dr Mumba was arrested on December 10, 2020 in Kolwezi district, Lualaba Province.
Dr Mumba entered DRC December 1, 2020 and was guest of Provincial Governor for Lualaba Richard Muyej Mangeze an ally of President Kabila but was staying at Kolwezi Lodge.
The MMD leader has since been transferred to Lubumbashi where he is reported to be under the custody of the Congolese Intelligence Service known as ANR.
When contacted, Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji said Government had not yet received any official communication from their Congolese counterparts.
Dr Malanji has however advised former and current Government leaders to always inform the state whenever they are visiting other countries.
Dr Malanji said it was important for former government leaders including former vice presidents to emulate former Vice President Enock Kavindele who always got in touch with the government whenever he was travelling out of the country.
Although reports indicate that Dr Mumba has been arrested for overstaying in that country, his detention could be as a result of the heightening tension between Gen Kabila and President Felix Tshisekedi.
In October, 2004, Dr Mumba was sacked as Vice President by late President Levy Mwanawasa for insubordination after he breached an oath of allegiance when he failed to retract his allegations that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was harbouring individuals who were working against the Zambian government.
Former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu was at the centre of the allegations raised by Dr Mumba.
Mr Chungu reportedly fled to the DRC in March that year to avoid being prosecuted for graft in a crackdown against former President Frederick Chiluba and his aides.
President Mwanawasa admonished Dr Mumba over the accusations and apologised to the Congolese government. Dr Mumba, however, refused to admit that his comments were in bad taste, leading to his dismissal.
NEVERS ARRESTED IN DRC
