Mundubile elected Tonse Alliance president as PF remains under court block

Hon. Brian Mundubile, the Mporokoso Member of Parliament and a constitutional lawyer, on Wednesday evening defeated Rev. Pastor Danny Pule to become president and presidential candidate of the opposition Tonse Alliance.

The election, held on 28 January 2026, saw Mundubile secure 129 votes against Pule’s 34, placing him at the centre of a reconfigured opposition ahead of Zambia’s 13 August 2026 general election, in which President Hakainde Hichilema is expected to seek another term.

The result positions Mundubile as Tonse’s top political figure, though Zambia’s electoral framework requires that a presidential candidate must be anchored in a registered political party. This means Mundubile will need to formally lead one of Tonse’s constituent member parties, such as the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), in order to legally qualify to file presidential nomination papers.

With the Patriotic Front still tied down by court injunctions and internal disputes, the Tonse pathway presents Mundubile with an alternative political vehicle at a time when PF’s organisational future remains uncertain. Political observers note that his move appears carefully timed, potentially allowing him to secure a legally compliant party platform if PF structures remain immobilised.

In brief remarks after his election, Mundubile acknowledged the mandate given to him by Tonse members.

“I stand before you as a deeply humbled man to accept the high privilege you bestowed upon me to lead this great, inimitable alliance as president,” he said.

His election comes against the backdrop of a High Court ruling that continues to restrict the operations of the Patriotic Front faction led by Hon. Given Lubinda. On 27 January 2026, the Kabwe High Court, presided over by Hon. Mr. Justice Kelvin Hancubwili Limbani, upheld an injunction restraining that PF faction from holding a General Conference, occupying the PF Secretariat, using party materials, or convening meetings in the name of the party pending a full trial.

The injunction was granted in favour of Morgan Ng’ona, who is suing as a member and Secretary General of the Patriotic Front. In his ruling, Justice Limbani stated that the plaintiff had demonstrated a clear right to the relief sought and that there was a serious question requiring determination at trial.

“Having found that the Plaintiff has a clear right to the relief sought and that there is a serious question to be tried, it follows that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of granting the injunction,” the judge ruled.

The court further restrained the defendant and associated agents from occupying PF premises, using party property, holding meetings in the party’s name, or purporting to conduct an elective convention until the legal dispute is resolved. The matter has been set down for full trial.

The case traces back to an earlier ex parte injunction granted in November 2025, which had already prevented the Lubinda and Miles Sampa aligned PF faction from holding a General Conference or exercising control over party infrastructure.

In the current proceedings, Morgan Ng’ona is listed as plaintiff, suing in his capacity as a PF member and Secretary General. The defendants include Brenda Nyirenda, who is sued as the purported Acting Secretary General of the PF. Legal representation includes Mr. P. Chiteta of Paul Chiteta and Company for the plaintiff, and Mr. B. C. Mutale S.C. of Ellis and Company together with Mr. J. Zimba of Makebi Zulu Advocates for the defendants.

The High Court ruling effectively freezes PF’s ability to regularise its leadership, hold an elective conference, or conclusively settle competing claims to authority within the party. This has created uncertainty over whether PF will be able to organise in time to mount a unified and legally secure presidential campaign.

Mundubile’s positioning within Tonse follows earlier public statements in which he said he recognised only the Tonse Alliance structure associated with former President Edgar Lungu and Dan Pule. He also indicated that he was prepared to face sanctions from PF for his continued involvement in Tonse, stating that he did not believe he was acting outside legitimate political structures.

He previously criticised delays in convening a PF convention, arguing that prolonged postponements had fuelled internal tension and weakened the party’s organisational coherence.

On Monday before the Tonse election, the Lubinda aligned Tonse faction held a meeting at which PF Deputy Secretary General for Administration Celestine Mukandila disclosed that one of the resolutions adopted was that any PF member associating with what was described as a breakaway illegal Tonse would be deemed to have exited the party.

So far, no formal expulsion of Mundubile from PF has been confirmed, leaving open the question of how the party will respond to his Tonse leadership role.

With PF still constrained by court action and Tonse now led by an elected presidential candidate, the opposition landscape has entered a new phase. Mundubile’s next move, particularly whether he secures leadership of a Tonse member party to meet legal nomination requirements, is expected to shape the direction of the opposition campaign in the run up to the August election.

Tonse Accuses Given Lubinda of Fueling PF–Tonse Conflict

The Tonse Alliance has accused Patriotic Front acting president Given Lubinda of benefiting from growing divisions between the PF and factions aligned to the Tonse political bloc, arguing that he is exploiting internal conflict rather than working toward unity within the opposition.

Tonse spokesperson Lawrence Mwela said Lubinda appears to be thriving on the confusion and fragmentation affecting the PF, instead of promoting cohesion among opposition groups at a time when broader cooperation is being encouraged ahead of upcoming national elections.

Mwela stated that Lubinda has shown little interest in reconciling divisions within the PF and between PF-linked groups and the Tonse Alliance, suggesting that continued instability serves his political positioning. He argued that opposition politics requires responsible leadership that prioritises collective progress over personal advantage.

According to Mwela, Lubinda has failed to demonstrate genuine commitment to building unity within opposition ranks, instead maintaining a posture that benefits from ongoing disputes. He said the PF’s internal turbulence has created an environment in which Lubinda can consolidate influence while rival factions struggle for legitimacy.

Mwela further alleged that Lubinda lacks the authority and credibility to claim leadership within Tonse, noting that legitimacy within political alliances must be grounded in formal processes and democratic elections rather than public declarations.

He questioned how Lubinda could claim to speak for Tonse when the alliance’s constitutional structures and leadership pathways, according to him, do not support Lubinda’s assertions of authority.

The Tonse spokesperson said that legitimate leadership within the alliance remains anchored in figures who were appointed through established political processes, including the late former president Edgar Lungu, who previously held influence over Tonse’s strategic direction.

Mwela argued that Lubinda’s political approach has deepened confusion within the PF rather than resolving it, creating uncertainty among party members and supporters who are seeking clarity on the future direction of opposition politics.

He also said Lubinda has failed to offer credible leadership in resolving disputes over party legitimacy, factional alignments, and alliance coordination, leaving unresolved questions about who legitimately represents PF interests within broader opposition structures.

According to Mwela, Tonse continues to recognise leadership figures who were endorsed through established party and alliance processes, adding that any attempt by Lubinda to assert control over Tonse without formal backing is constitutionally unsound.

Mwela suggested that Lubinda’s political positioning is driven more by tactical self-interest than by a genuine desire to strengthen opposition unity. He said this has contributed to continued mistrust among opposition actors and has complicated efforts to present a unified alternative to the electorate.

The Tonse spokesperson further argued that political leaders must respect organisational rules, alliance constitutions, and internal democratic processes rather than attempting to claim authority through political manoeuvring.

He said Lubinda’s approach risks weakening opposition credibility by reinforcing perceptions of internal conflict and power struggles, which could alienate voters seeking stability and coherence among political alternatives.

The Tonse Alliance maintains that unity within opposition politics should be guided by lawful structures, mutual respect among leaders, and transparent decision-making, rather than by individual ambitions or opportunistic positioning.

Mwela’s remarks come amid heightened political tension within the PF, where competing factions continue to contest leadership legitimacy, alliance strategy, and electoral direction.

As opposition parties consider possible realignments and coalition strategies ahead of future polls, the Tonse Alliance has called for adherence to constitutional order and internal democratic standards as the foundation for sustainable political cooperation.

Aka Lacks Moral Authority to Unite Opposition – Kabimba Says

Wynter Kabimba has questioned the credibility of veteran politician Aka in his efforts to rally opposition political parties into a united front, arguing that Aka previously failed to achieve the same objective when he had the opportunity.

Kabimba said Aka’s recent call for opposition unity lacks moral and political authority, given his track record during earlier attempts to consolidate opposition forces. He stated that leadership on coalition-building requires demonstrated commitment, consistency, and the ability to bring competing interests together, qualities he said Aka did not display when it mattered.

Speaking in response to public commentary attributed to Aka, Kabimba said the veteran politician appeared to be revising history by positioning himself as a champion of opposition unity despite earlier shortcomings. He maintained that Aka’s current posture raises questions about sincerity and political timing.

Kabimba argued that the challenge of uniting opposition parties is not new and that several leaders, including Aka, previously had opportunities to lead credible unification processes but did not succeed. He said it was inconsistent for Aka to now present himself as a rallying figure without addressing the reasons earlier efforts fell short.

He further stated that opposition politics in Zambia has often been undermined by personal ambitions, strategic miscalculations, and leadership rivalries, factors that have historically weakened collective bargaining power against the ruling party.

Kabimba said genuine opposition unity must be built on transparent dialogue, mutual respect, and shared objectives rather than public rhetoric. He cautioned against what he described as political grandstanding, warning that superficial unity efforts risk misleading the electorate.

The Economic Front leader also said that some opposition figures tend to position themselves as kingmakers or unifiers only after losing political relevance or electoral influence, a pattern he suggested undermines trust among voters and fellow politicians.

Kabimba further referenced earlier opposition alliances, saying their limited success demonstrates the need for disciplined leadership and structured coalition frameworks rather than personality-driven initiatives. He noted that sustainable political cooperation requires formal agreements, policy alignment, and internal accountability.

He stressed that opposition parties seeking to form coalitions must confront their past failures honestly instead of rewriting political history. According to Kabimba, credibility in political leadership is earned through consistent action, not retroactive claims of influence.

The comments come amid renewed discussions within opposition circles about forming strategic alliances ahead of future electoral contests. Several political actors have called for broader cooperation to challenge the ruling party more effectively.

Kabimba said he supports unity in principle but believes it should be grounded in realism, accountability, and respect for democratic processes. He added that leaders who previously failed to deliver unity should first reflect on their shortcomings before presenting themselves as architects of opposition cooperation.

He also warned that poorly coordinated unity drives can fracture the opposition further if driven by ego rather than strategy. Kabimba said opposition leaders must prioritise national interest over personal ambition if they hope to gain public confidence.

The Economic Front leader maintained that political maturity requires acknowledging past mistakes and learning from them rather than positioning oneself as indispensable. He said voters are increasingly attentive to political consistency and may reject leaders who appear opportunistic.

His remarks contribute to an ongoing conversation about leadership credibility, coalition politics, and the future direction of Zambia’s opposition as parties weigh their options ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.

The government has provided details surrounding the exit of Berry Lwando as Director General of the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), dismissing claims that his departure was linked to the recent visit by United States Ambassador Michael Gonzales.

Information Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said the decision regarding Lwando’s position followed administrative processes involving the ZNBC board and should not be connected to diplomatic engagements or political pressure.

Kawana stated that the Ministry of Information had no role in dismissing Lwando and stressed that the ZNBC board retains authority over executive decisions affecting senior management. He explained that the government had sought to maintain institutional distance from operational decisions at the public broadcaster to avoid political interference.

The clarification follows public speculation after Ambassador Gonzales visited ZNBC headquarters in Lusaka, sparking claims from opposition figures and commentators that the Director General had been removed as a consequence of diplomatic interactions or external influence.

Kawana rejected those assertions, saying there was no causal link between the ambassador’s visit and Lwando’s departure. He described the claims as misleading and urged the public to rely on verified information rather than political narratives.

He added that if the government had intended to act against Lwando for the ambassador’s visit, the decision would have been communicated transparently through official channels rather than through speculation. He also noted that it was unreasonable to suggest that a diplomatic courtesy call could trigger administrative sanctions at a state institution.

Kawana said Ambassador Gonzales has maintained a professional relationship with Zambia and that diplomatic engagements should not be interpreted as interference in domestic media governance. He noted that ZNBC, as a public broadcaster, occupies an important space in national discourse and must balance public accountability with editorial independence.

Addressing concerns raised by political stakeholders, Kawana stated that ZNBC continues to play a central role in Zambia’s information ecosystem, particularly in public education and democratic engagement. He said the broadcaster’s leadership transition should not be mischaracterised as evidence of foreign influence or political coercion.

The Permanent Secretary also referenced public comments made by Citizen First party officials, including Mark Simuuwe and Chungu, who had linked Lwando’s exit to diplomatic developments. Kawana challenged those claims, saying they lacked factual basis and risked undermining public confidence in state institutions.

He questioned why critics were quick to assume wrongdoing rather than seeking confirmation from official records or the ZNBC board. He added that the ambassador’s visit had been planned within normal diplomatic protocols and did not constitute a breach of sovereignty or institutional integrity.

Kawana further stated that Lwando himself would have been in a position to clarify the circumstances of his departure if he believed misinformation was being circulated. He said the absence of such clarification from Lwando suggested there was no factual support for the circulating allegations.

He also said the government remained open to constructive scrutiny but urged political actors to refrain from spreading claims that could damage Zambia’s diplomatic relations or erode trust in public institutions.

ZNBC, as Zambia’s national broadcaster, has frequently been the subject of political debate, particularly during election cycles, when questions about editorial independence and public accountability intensify. The government maintains that institutional reforms at ZNBC are aimed at strengthening professionalism and governance rather than serving political interests.

Kawana reiterated that the Ministry of Information continues to support ZNBC’s mandate to deliver balanced, credible, and inclusive content while respecting legal frameworks governing public broadcasting.

The matter has generated public discussion on the broader issue of political influence in state media, with stakeholders calling for transparency in leadership changes and clearer communication from governing bodies.

Government officials insist that Lwando’s departure should be understood within the context of institutional governance rather than political controversy and have encouraged the public to separate factual developments from speculative commentary.