Patriotic Front (PF) Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Sunday Chanda and Mafinga lawmaker Robert Chabinga have defected to the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Chanda, a former PF media director, was previously known for his strong criticism of the ruling party prior to President Hakainde Hichilema’s election victory. However, in 2022, he shifted from being a critic to supporting government policies.
Chabinga has been aligned with the ruling party since 2023, when he was appointed Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
Speaking during a public engagement in Nakonde where President Hichilema met UPND members, Chanda announced his decision to join the ruling party, citing the President’s leadership style.
“If there was a person President Hichilema was supposed to beat when he became president, it’s me because I used to criticise him harshly. But he told me that I didn’t know what I was doing and told me to work with him,” Chanda said.
He added that his decision to work with the President had contributed to development in his constituency.
Chanda also announced that eight councillors from Kanchibiya Constituency had defected with him to the UPND.
“I have eight councillors as MP here, these eight councillors are all coming with me to UPND. No one is remaining behind. What Kanchibiya is today is not what it was five years ago,” he said.
He attributed development in the area to his collaboration with the Head of State.
Meanwhile, Isoka Member of Parliament Majorie Nakaponda also defected to the ruling party along with 57 councillors, mayors, and council chairpersons.
President Hichilema welcomed the defectors, stating that he held no resentment despite past criticism.
“Sunday Chanda, my young brother used to talk a lot back then but I told him let’s work together. I like your talent and we are working well,” he said.
The President added that he remains committed to serving all citizens and delivering development across the country.
But how do they join a party that has not delivered, what it has delivered has just been propaganda.
There is nothing on the ground. There is no fertiliser for K250, no mealie meal for K50, no K12 fuel, we had loadshedding for 4 years. UN special rappoteur Ireen Khan came on the ground and said our human rights record was not good. We are told we are the 6th hungriest nation in the world. CDF is an MMD initiated program, Free education is a UNIP program, i am stating facts here, don’t argue with me, argue with the facts. People continue to live in serious squalor and poverty in compounds, they were told it was going to be fixed. Even sworn in at 10 and kwacha picking at 14 did not work
You have to be stupid with no basic knowledge of economics in your head to believe that mealie meal could be sold for K50 & fertilizer for K250.
You are still poor cos of your idiocy in believing all the rubbish you wrote. Wake up
@Moono why the insults? The chap has just made his argument from UPND promises and all you can do is insult him? Thats why we are not going forward. There were promises by HH of being sworn in at 10h00 and the Kwacha……?
Look the man wanted to work but upon entering office, reality dawned, the man had neither the capacity nor the competency to deliver. How can just raising CDF amount be classified as having worked, if MMD did not come up with CDF what was he going to raise, after all central government was already handling constituency programs, its not like there was a vacuum
Just continue eating nshima in the markets & be a spectator…you have nothing to contribute to mother zambia
Even in the time of Jesus, betrayers were there,
Not strange. NI Nkhani ya soup