By 
The Patriotic Front (PF) has plunged into open confrontation with dissenting voices in its ranks, expelling a raft of senior members in a sweeping crackdown over what the party has branded gross indiscipline and participation in what it called an illegal Tonse Alliance General Conference.
Among those affected are some of the party’s most recognisable figures, including Brian Mundubile, Stephen Kampyongo, Lukas Simumba, Francis Kapyanga, Japhen Mwakalombe, Davis Chisopa, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Melisiana Chibwe, Emmanuel Tembo, Lazarous Chungu, Abuild Kawangu, Mwila Yumba, Daniel Mwango and Luka Monta.
Announcing the decision at a press briefing in Lusaka on Saturday, PF Acting President and Central Committee Chairperson, Given Lubinda, said the party had reached a defining moment and would no longer tolerate actions that undermined its authority, constitution and leadership.
“January has been both demanding and defining, testing the Party’s unity, discipline and clarity of leadership,” Mr Lubinda said, describing the period as a turning point for the former ruling party.
He said the PF would respond with firmness, guided by its constitution, values and legacy.
In a move that dramatically redraws the party’s internal landscape, Lubinda declared that all members who took part in the disputed Tonse Alliance elections had, by their own conduct, effectively expelled themselves from the PF.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any member of the Party who associates with the breakaway illegal Tonse shall be deemed to have exited their membership of the Party,” he said.
Lubinda moved to reassert the PF’s dominance within the opposition alliance, insisting that the party remained the anchor of the Tonse Alliance, as clearly provided for in the alliance constitution.
“The Preamble to the Tonse Alliance Constitution expressly recognises that the PF shall play a leading role in all alliance affairs,” he said, warning that any parallel structures or entities operating outside the recognised alliance are “illegal, null and void”.
He also dismissed the existence of the so-called “ECL-PF Movement,” stating that party rules required all organs and structures to be formally registered with the Office of the Secretary General.
“Any structure not registered is illegal and shall be treated as such,” he said.
On broader alliance dynamics, Lubinda confirmed that the Central Committee had formally accepted the departure of the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP), the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) and Umodzi Kumawa from the Tonse Alliance, although he said the door remained open for their return under legitimate leadership.
The party has also resolved to tighten due diligence procedures for admitting new alliance partners, a move aimed at restoring order, unity and organisational discipline within the opposition bloc.
Internally, the PF is now turning its attention to its long-awaited General Conference.
Lubinda said preparations were progressing, with a 10-member Electoral Commission set to begin nationwide verification of party structures.
He also announced that the PF would re-emerge on the national stage by resuming participation in traditional ceremonies and national events, including Youth Day and Women’s Day, as part of renewed grassroots mobilisation.
The meeting further saw the signing and renewal of Tonse Alliance membership, with nine political parties and 11 civil society organisations formally joining or recommitting to the alliance.
“The Patriotic Front remains committed to discipline, unity and the protection of the legacy of our Sixth Republican President, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. No amount of indiscipline will be allowed to undermine the Party or the Tonse Alliance,” Lubinda said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments