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The ongoing crisis within Zambia’s main opposition party, the Patriotic Front, on Sunday assumed another interesting dimension.
Mafinga lawmaker, Robert Chabinga, who was reportedly elected as acting president of the Patriotic Front (PF), following the alleged expulsion of Miles Sampa from the party in July, has now expelled several high-profile members, including former president, Edgar Lungu, Given Lubinda, and Sampa, citing gross indiscipline within the party.
Also expelled were former Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri, former Munali Member of Parliament (MP) Professor Nkandu Luo, and faction Chairperson for Information and Publicity, Emmanuel Mwamba.
Speaking at a media briefing held at Lusaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Sunday, Chabinga accused Lungu of attempting a deceptive political comeback, stating that his true intentions had been exposed.
He also issued a warning against individuals allegedly impersonating party leadership and engaging in unauthorized partnerships representing the PF.
Chabinga stressed that the PF’s legitimate leadership does not recognize Lungu’s claims to the presidency, as his name does not appear in the Registrar of Societies.
He further condemned Lungu’s actions as indicative of his political irrelevance.
In addition to the expulsions, Chabinga announced the removal of party Secretary-General, Raphael Nakacinda, and several MPs, including Mwansabombwe MP, Kabaso Kapampi.
He directed the PF Secretary-General, Morgan Ng’ona, to inform the Inspector General of Police, the Registrar of Societies, and the National Assembly of the leadership changes.
Chabinga also revealed plans for a constitutional amendment convention, aimed at selecting a candidate for the 2026 elections and restructuring the party’s leadership.
Furthermore, Chipangali MP, Andrew Lubusha, was appointed as the new party Vice President for Politics and Administration, replacing John Kufuna.
Chabinga declared PF’s membership in the Tonse Alliance null and void, citing it as a factor in the decision to expel Lungu and others.
Meanwhile, Sampa had sought a court injunction to stop Chabinga from holding the press briefing and from claiming leadership of the PF.
Read More: Sampa seeks High Court intervention to block Chabinga’s PF presidency
However, Chabinga and his legal team proceeded with the briefing, clarifying that they had not been served with the injunction.
In July, Chabinga was announced as acting factional leader of the PF, following the expulsion of Sampa and other members in a dispute over Lungu’s involvement in the party.
Ng’ona, reinstated as the PF faction Secretary-General by Chabinga, announced that all decisions made by Sampa, including expulsions, were null and void.
Sampa had counter-sued Ng’ona, seeking an injunction to prevent him and Chabinga from representing the PF leadership.
He also argued that the party constitution granted him the authority to make decisions in the best interests of the party.
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