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Political affairs commentator, Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa, has urged the Patriotic Front (PF) to consider political alternatives, warning that court processes will delay the party’s readiness for elections as the campaignseason draws closer.
This follows a ruling in which Judge Chinyama Zulu declined to sign a consent order for the PF and instead referred the matter to full trial.
Dr. Mwelwa said the development would prolong the wrangles within the party, weakening its ability to prepare for election campaigns.
“The refusal by Judge Chinyama Zulu to sign the Consent Order and instead send the PF wrangles to full trial has exposed a hard reality: this case will not end soon. What was meant to be a quick path to unity has been frozen in litigation,” he said in a statement on Friday.
He noted that the Registrar of Societies’ controversial alteration of PF office bearers—from Miles Sampa to Robert Chabinga—despite an existing consent agreement, raised questions of interference.
“This was no innocent administrative oversight. It is mingalato—the calculated interference of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) designed to keep PF weak and divided,” he argued.
Mwelwa cautioned the PF against overreliance on the courts, stressing that legal processes were slow and deliberate.
“Every month lost in wrangles is a month wasted in reorganizing and reconnecting with the people. UPND understands this, and they are playing for delay,” he said.
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Instead, he urged the PF to immediately craft a clear “Plan B” that would guide members on leadership, strengthen structures, and preserve unity regardless of the trial outcome.
“Without clarity, confusion will reign in constituencies and among cadres,” he warned.
Drawing from Zambia’s political history, Mwelwa recalled that leaders such as Kenneth Kaunda, Levy Mwanawasa and Michael Sata succeeded by focusing on the people despite legal and political setbacks.
He predicted the PF trial would drag on with arguments multiplying and verdicts delayed indefinitely, but advised the party to respond strategically.
“When your enemy sharpens his spear, you must prepare your shield, not complain about the sound of grinding. PF’s shield must be discipline, foresight, and a united message,” he stated.
He added that the true test of PF’s strength would not come from the courts but from the people at the ballot box.
“If PF allows itself to be consumed by endless wrangles, Zambians will judge it as disorganized and unfit to govern. But if it plans wisely, speaks with one voice, and outmaneuvers mingalato, it will remain a formidable contender in 2026,” Mwelwa said.
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