Patriotic Front presidential aspirant Dr Chishimba Kambwili has issued a firm appeal for calm and stronger law-enforcement measures following the recent assault on PF acting president Given Lubinda, warning that unchecked political violence could undermine the integrity of the 2026 general elections.
Through a statement conveyed by his private secretary, Mwila Kennedy, Dr Kambwili denounced the attack as wholly unjustified, arguing that Zambia’s political contestation must be grounded in ideas, persuasion and peaceful mobilisation rather than physical confrontation. He emphasised that President Lubinda was meeting party structures at a private residence, an activity he characterised as lawful and protected, provided it poses no threat to public order or safety.
Dr Kambwili questioned the logic behind claims that the gathering lacked a police permit, observing that such assumptions cannot serve as a pretext for violent conduct. He reminded citizens that national harmony is founded on respect across all seventy-three ethnic communities and urged the public to uphold Zambia’s long-standing commitment to unity.
He further indicated that law-enforcement agencies now face heightened public scrutiny and called on the police command to respond decisively. According to Dr Kambwili, the immediate priority should be the apprehension of the individual who publicly asserted that the attackers acted out of anger over a supposed absence of a permit. He challenged the notion that political supporters can usurp statutory policing responsibilities.
Describing the incident at the PF Secretariat as disturbing, Dr Kambwili reiterated that the matter warrants a clear and unambiguous reaction from the security services. He recalled previous episodes in which individuals wearing ruling-party regalia were detained briefly and later released without substantive follow-up, arguing that such patterns erode public confidence in the justice system and fail to deter similar acts.
Dr Kambwili urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all persons connected to the attack face credible investigations, full due process and transparent prosecution. He contended that recurring arrests without meaningful outcomes contribute to perceptions of selective enforcement.
Addressing UPND members, Dr Kambwili appealed for a principled stance when unlawful behaviour occurs. Accountability, he argued, begins with acknowledging wrongdoing and allowing legal mechanisms to function without obstruction. While noting that the ruling party may not have authorised the actions, he insisted that individuals acting independently must still face the law.
He referenced available footage and images showing attackers dressed in UPND-branded clothing, asserting that this should prompt the ruling party to support disciplinary and legal action rather than downplay the events. He encouraged political actors to avoid dismissive commentary that undermines the gravity of such incidents.
Dr Kambwili stated that remaining silent in the wake of such behaviour would be irresponsible, especially in a period leading toward a national election. Failure to confront political violence, he cautioned, increases the likelihood of broader instability during the 2026 electoral process. His intervention, he clarified, is driven by a desire to safeguard national stability rather than partisan gain.
He reminded Zambians of the nation’s tradition of peace dating back to independence in 1964 and urged all political parties, supporters and state institutions to prioritise cohesion and uphold the rule of law as the election approaches.
Dr Kambwili concluded by calling on the police leadership to demonstrate impartiality and resolve, noting that the public expects firm and timely action from the security services as tensions rise ahead of the 2026 polls.
Very wise words in this unfortunate climate. Cadreism must be outlawed all round. It’s a cancer which only eats away, never builds. Cadreism has been tearing this country apart while we watch. And now there is the issue of junkies. Can you imagine what would happen if junkies and Cadreism co-mingled?