Resolve burial of ECL – PF

RESOLVE BURIAL OF ECL – PF

Continued failure to resolve this matter is creating a dangerous precedent

RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF MEMBERS DEFECTING TO OTHER POLITICAL PARTIES AND FORMATIONS

Those endorsing candidates that no longer belong to the Patriotic Front are engaged in defections and must be replaced immediately as the Party prepares the delegates’ list to the General Conference.

1. ON FUNERAL AND BURIAL OF ECL

The Patriotic Front Party remains deeply concerned that the mortal remains of the late President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have not been put to rest eight (8) months after his demise in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Party has once again appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to demonstrate leadership, abandon all court processes, and actively engage in restarting credible negotiations in order to end this sad and unfortunate crisis.

This is to ensure that all parties involved can facilitate and grant the wishes of the ECL family in this matter, so that the late President can be laid to a peaceful rest.

Failure to resolve this matter continues to create a dangerous precedent, as President Lungu diligently served the people of Zambia for seven years as President and therefore deserves unequivocal respect and honour in life and in death.

2. ON ENDORSEMENTS AND JOINING OTHER POLITICAL FORMATIONS

We have noted that some members of the Patriotic Front are announcing endorsements or joining presidential candidates who are no longer members of the Patriotic Front.

This conduct will be regarded and treated as defections.

To this effect, Provincial and District leadership are directed to immediately replace such individuals, especially where they occupy leadership positions within Party structures.

This process should be carried out in liaison with the Office of the Acting Secretary General, Mr. Celestine Mukandila.

This directive is necessitated by the Party’s ongoing preparation of the delegates’ list for the General Conference, which will be drawn strictly from bona fide Party members.

3. COURT MATTERS

The matter concerning the Consent Judgment to hand back the Patriotic Front to its legitimate owners is coming before Lusaka High Court Judge, Justice Conceptor Chinyanwa Zulu, on 25th February 2025.

We hope that this matter will be settled once and for all.

4. GENERAL CONFERENCE

The Party leadership has resolved that, notwithstanding any other legal or political considerations, the General Conference will proceed and shall be held before the end of February 2026.

The Electoral Commission of the Party has been appointed and has made extremely good progress, with eligible voters currently being contacted.

The process is being managed in a manner intended to produce a credible, legitimate, and democratically elected leader of the Patriotic Front.

5. MRS. BRENDA NYIRENDA-CHISOPA

Presidential candidates have expressed alarm that the former Acting Secretary General, Mrs. Brenda Nyirenda-Chisopa, has not surrendered administrative and financial records, as well as Party assets, despite repeated requests from the Secretariat.

The Presidential Candidates have stated that they participated in a process commissioned and directed by the Central Committee led by Acting President, Hon. Given Lubinda, and have expressed deep concern that this matter remains unresolved.

They have urged the Party leadership to urgently resolve this issue in order to expedite preparations for the General Conference.

6. ON TONSE ALLIANCE

The Party has stated emphatically that the only legal and legitimate Tonse Alliance is the one created by the late President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

President Lungu appointed Hon. Given Lubinda and Hon. Raphael Nakacinda to head the Alliance in their capacities as leaders of the Patriotic Front, which was the anchor Party of the Alliance as provided for in the founding documents and subsequent Memoranda of Understanding signed by partner parties.

Accordingly, the leadership of the Tonse Alliance remains vested in the Patriotic Front under Acting President, Hon. Given Lubinda, and Secretary General, Hon. Raphael Nakacinda.

The Party is aware of a grouping that has broken away and purports to belong to another so-called Tonse Alliance. This is regarded by the Party as a fraudulent and illegal process.

Members are encouraged to remain steadfast and loyal to the wishes of the late President and await further guidance.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The Party has reported the Government of President Hakainde Hichilema to SADC and the Africa Bar Association for attacks against democracy, the rule of law, and alleged human rights violations.

This action is intended to inform regional bodies of the intense threats and pressures facing democracy in Zambia, which the Party states are being perpetrated by President Hakainde Hichilema and his associates.

The Party further seeks to alert international institutions to what it describes as the UPND government’s intentions to undermine and manipulate the 2026 General Elections through various schemes aimed at weakening democratic institutions and the integrity of the electoral system.

The Party will continue to report and highlight the crisis facing Zambia’s democracy to additional international bodies.

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

As a Party, we have a sacred duty to defend, honour, and protect the legacy of President Michael Chilufya Sata and President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

We urge our members to remain calm, steadfast, and patient, and to await official guidance on matters relating to the Party, its political alliances, and general direction.

The Party leadership thanks members for their continued loyalty and resilience as the Patriotic Front navigates these challenges in its mission to offer the people of Zambia credible alternative leadership to the failing UPND government.

ISSUED BY:
Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Chairperson, Information and Publicity
Member of the Central Committee
PATRIOTIC FRONT