Once denied by govt, Chabinga flaunts wealth, declares himself legitimate PF leader, warns detractors

Mafinga Member of Parliament, Robert Chabinga, has issued a stern warning to members of the Patriotic Front (PF) who are reportedly challenging his leadership, insisting that he is the legitimate acting leader of the former ruling party.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Chabinga described himself as a political heavyweight, vowing to deal with internal dissent without involving law enforcement agencies.

“I will deal with those bringing confusion in the PF in my own way. The police should stay out of this. I am not politically a lightweight,” he said.

“Those undermining my leadership will have themselves to blame,” he said.

Chabinga also dismissed allegations that he was involved in sponsoring a recent press briefing in South Africa, hosted by an NGO critical of former President Edgar Lungu’s family.

“If I were to sponsor a press briefing, it would be at the Sandton Convention Centre because I have the capacity,” he claimed.

Chabinga said: “I have a fully furnished house in South Africa. If people don’t know, those attacking me may be renting in ramshackles. I can even accommodate them for two years.”

He boasted that he had the financial muscle to sustain a protest for over a year, both as a politician and a wealthy individual.

Chabinga further asserted that all documentation at the Registrar of Societies listed him as the acting PF leader and warned against the unauthorized use of PF regalia during by-elections.

He welcomed the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s recent decision to prohibit non-participating political parties from displaying party regalia during by-elections, stating that he would enforce the directive to protect the PF’s image.

In May this year, the government distanced itself from remarks allegedly made by Chabinga, purportedly accusing foreign diplomats of funding efforts to destabilise the Zambian government.

Read more:govt-disowns-pro-hichilema-opposition-lawmaker-chabinga-over-alleged-remarks-against-diplomats

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, said the alleged remarks—made during a press conference held on May 2, 2025—were widely circulated and caused significant concern among Zambia’s diplomatic partners.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, Haimbe clarified that Chabinga’s views did not represent the official position, policy, or diplomatic stance of the Zambian government.

“Zambia remains a sovereign state, fully committed to engaging constructively with development partners at both bilateral and multilateral levels, in accordance with our foreign policy,” Haimbe stated.

He reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which governs the conduct and protection of diplomats.

“The government is committed to ensuring that diplomats operate in an environment free from fear, prejudice, or undue interference,” he said, adding that Zambia appreciated the vital role diplomats play in national development.

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