Patriotic Front acting national chairperson Jean Kapata says political change in Zambia in the 2026 general elections is inevitable, insisting that the former ruling party remains intact despite internal leadership disputes and the emergence of rival political formations.

Speaking in an interview with The Mast, Kapata said Zambians should not be intimidated or discouraged by what she described as attempts to weaken the PF through state-backed interference, legal battles, and political manoeuvres.

She said no amount of pressure, intimidation, or schemes would derail the resolve of Zambians to vote out the United Party for National Development (UPND) on August 13, 2026.

Kapata said the PF leadership is fully aware that the party is unlikely to be restored to its previous legal standing ahead of the elections, alleging that government influence has played a role in preventing the party from reclaiming full control of its structures.

She argued that the UPND fears the Patriotic Front and is operating under the belief that retaining power depends on weakening the opposition through control of political and legal processes.

According to Kapata, the situation surrounding the PF is not simply a matter of internal disputes but a broader political struggle involving what she described as state machinery being deployed to dismantle the former ruling party.

She said the PF remains alive in the hearts and minds of many Zambians and should be viewed as a political movement rooted in public support rather than a private organisation controlled by a few individuals.

Kapata said the PF leadership is working to reorganise the party, select a leader, and determine the political vehicle under which it will contest the 2026 general elections.

She appealed to PF members and sympathisers not to lose confidence, urging them to remain committed to the party and its leadership despite ongoing political and legal challenges.

Kapata further addressed the election of Mporokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile as president of the Tonse Alliance, stating that his decision to align himself with the alliance amounts to self-expulsion from the Patriotic Front.

She said Mundubile cannot continue to associate with an entity that has distanced itself from the PF while still claiming PF membership or identity.

Kapata said Mundubile should cease using the name of late former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu in his political activities, arguing that invoking Lungu’s legacy while operating outside PF structures is misleading.

She said the PF leadership wishes Mundubile well in his new political role but maintains that his actions place him outside the Patriotic Front.

Kapata called on PF structures across the country to respect official party communications and remain aligned with acting party president Given Lubinda, whom she described as the legitimate leader of the party.

She warned PF members against being swayed by rival groups or individuals whom she accused of using the party’s name to confuse supporters and advance personal political ambitions.

Kapata said the PF remains operational and politically relevant despite setbacks, expressing confidence that the party will present a serious challenge in the 2026 general elections.

She reiterated that political loyalty within the PF should remain anchored to its recognised leadership and urged members to remain focused on the party’s broader mission and electoral prospects.

Kapata concluded that regardless of whether the party regains full legal control of its structures, the Patriotic Front remains a living political force driven by public support.a

Opposition political figure Davies Mwila has claimed that Patriotic Front (PF) acting president Given Lubinda has been left in charge of what he described as an empty and weakened political structure, arguing that the party has lost much of its organisational strength, grassroots influence, and political relevance.

Mwila said Lubinda remains the leader of PF in title, but the party no longer commands the authority, cohesion, or national support it once enjoyed when it was in government. He argued that internal divisions, defections, leadership disputes, and prolonged legal battles have hollowed out the party’s operational capacity.

According to Mwila, PF’s current condition reflects years of unresolved internal conflict that have fractured the party’s unity and weakened its credibility among supporters. He said persistent infighting over leadership control, alliance positioning, and strategic direction has left the former ruling party fragmented and struggling to function as a unified political force.

Mwila claimed that many former PF members and grassroots supporters have distanced themselves from the party due to ongoing instability and lack of clear leadership direction. He argued that this erosion of internal cohesion has significantly reduced PF’s ability to mobilise voters, organise nationwide political structures, and present itself as a credible alternative in national politics.

He said Lubinda’s leadership has been overshadowed by internal court disputes, contested authority over party organs, and divisions involving the Tonse Alliance, all of which have contributed to weakening PF’s public image. Mwila argued that these conflicts have diminished the party’s influence and created uncertainty among its traditional support base.

According to Mwila, PF’s organisational framework has been stripped of much of its former strength, leaving Lubinda presiding over what he described as a “shell” of a once-dominant political movement. He argued that leadership struggles and legal wrangles have hollowed out the party’s structures at both national and grassroots levels.

Mwila further suggested that PF’s decline has affected the broader opposition landscape, shifting political dynamics and reducing the party’s ability to shape national discourse. He said political relevance depends on uanity, discipline, strategic clarity, and consistent engagement with citizens, qualities he claimed PF currently lacks.

He criticised what he described as PF’s failure to rebuild internal unity following its electoral defeat, stating that the party missed opportunities to restructure, renew leadership, and restore confidence among supporters. Mwila argued that without meaningful internal reform, PF risks further political marginalisation.

Mwila also commented on the broader political environment, suggesting that PF’s internal turmoil has contributed to voter frustration and confusion among citizens who once aligned themselves with the party. He said ongoing disputes over leadership legitimacy have weakened trust and reduced PF’s capacity to act as a strong opposition force.

He maintained that opposition parties must strengthen internal governance, discipline, and organisational clarity if they are to remain effective and credible in Zambia’s political landscape. According to Mwila, political parties that fail to address internal dysfunction risk losing relevance and public confidence.

Mwila concluded by reiterating that Lubinda remains in charge of a diminished party structure and that PF’s future depends on its willingness to confront internal weaknesses, rebuild unity, and reconnect with grassroots supporters. He said meaningful political recovery would require leadership renewal, structural reform, and a renewed commitment to organisational discipline.

Patriotic Front (PF) central committee member Chishimba Kambwili has claimed that Zambians are increasingly aware of what he described as dishonesty within the current government, arguing that citizens are now more alert to political messaging and campaign conduct.

Kambwili stated that the people of Kasama rejected the United Party for National Development (UPND) during recent political engagements, asserting that voters were dissatisfied with what he characterised as misleading political strategies. He said the outcome reflected growing public awareness and resistance to what he described as manipulation.

Speaking in response to allegations connected to the Kasama mayoral by-election, Kambwili rejected claims that he or his associates engaged in vote-buying or improper campaign activities. He dismissed suggestions that the distribution of food or relief items constituted inducement, insisting that such claims were part of a broader attempt to discredit him politically.

Kambwili challenged critics to produce evidence supporting accusations against him, stating that he would only accept responsibility if wrongdoing could be proven. He argued that political accusations without substantiation were intended to damage reputations rather than uphold electoral integrity.

He further stated that political actors who accept responsibility for wrongdoing should be judged based on facts rather than speculation, and maintained that he remained confident in his conduct throughout the campaign period.

Kambwili also referenced the broader Tonse Alliance, suggesting that the opposition grouping remains influential in the political landscape. He said the alliance continues to attract public support, while accusing the ruling party of struggling to maintain credibility with voters.

The PF figure argued that political trust should be earned through consistency and accountability, stating that the electorate is becoming more discerning in evaluating political promises and leadership behaviour. He maintained that citizens are no longer easily persuaded by political rhetoric that lacks tangible outcomes.

In remarks addressing the political situation in Kasama, Kambwili suggested that the UPND faced rejection because voters felt the ruling party had failed to meet expectations. He contended that dissatisfaction with governance played a role in shaping voter sentiment during the electoral process.

He also commented on divisions within opposition political circles, noting tensions involving PF and Tonse Alliance leadership. Kambwili suggested that internal political differences should not distract from broader objectives of strengthening opposition influence and presenting credible alternatives to the ruling government.

Responding to questions regarding alleged electoral misconduct, Kambwili reiterated that he had not engaged in illegal activities and challenged those making claims to present formal complaints supported by verifiable evidence. He described ongoing allegations as politically motivated attempts to weaken his standing.

He further stated that he remained committed to political engagement and dismissed suggestions that he feared investigations or scrutiny. According to Kambwili, accountability should be applied equally across political parties and not selectively targeted.

The article also notes that Kambwili declined to comment in detail on certain legal matters, stating that he preferred to review court rulings before issuing further statements. He indicated that he would respond formally after fully understanding judicial findings related to political injunctions involving party officials.

Kambwili concluded by stating that political credibility depends on honesty and respect for voters, adding that he believes the public increasingly recognises inconsistencies in government communication.