Lusaka - The Zambian High Court is expected to rule today on an application by the former president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, for an order forcing the government to charge or release him after his detention on Christmas Day by paramilitary police. Britain, the US, South Africa and the Commonwealth have all denounced the arrest of Dr Kaunda (73), apparently in connection with a coup attempt by drunken soldiers in October. Dr Kaunda's family says he is on hunger strike after a brief court appearance on Friday during which he filed his demand to be released.
Dr Kaunda's supporters say he was in South Africa when the abortive coup took place as drunken soldiers took control of a radio station for several hours. They accuse President Frederick Chiluba's government of stage-managing the crisis to justify the imposition of a state of emergency.