The former Zambia Security Intelligence Service (ZSIS) director-general has been charged and arrested for multiple offences.

Xavier Chungu has been arrested and charged with seven counts of communication of certain information, contrary to Section 4(1) of the State Security Act.

All was well for Xavier Chungu, one of the longest-serving former director generals of the Zambia Intelligence Service, until he joined politics as a presidential candidate for the August 2026 general elections.

While trying to prove his relevance and experience on the Zambian political scene, he unleashed classified information when he appeared on some podcast.

Zambia Police Service spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi says Chungu has been charged with 11 counts.

Of these, three counts of seditious practices, contrary to Section 57 of the Penal Code, and one count of prohibition of publication or disclosure of information to an unauthorised person.

He says the alleged offences occurred on May 24, 2026, between 16:00 and 18:00 hours in New Kasama, Lusaka, where Chungu is alleged to have disclosed confidential information obtained through his official duties.

Chilabi has revealed that, during the same period and at the same location, Chungu allegedly disclosed protective measures relating to a vital installation.

He said Chungu remains in police custody and is awaiting a court appearance.

In Zambia, revealing official state secrets or unauthorised communication of classified information contrary to the State Security Act (Chapter 111 of the Laws of Zambia) carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years, which can extend up to a maximum of 25 years.

The two podcast hosts who interviewed Chungu were also detained to help the police with investigations but released several days later.

Chungu served as director general of the ZSIS from 1991 to 2001.