PF Chairperson Says Mwila’s Remarks Hold No Weight

The Patriotic Front’s Acting National Chairperson, Hon. Jean Kapata, has issued a strong response to remarks made by former secretary general Hon. Davis Mwila, stating that his public comments about the state of the party hold no weight and should not alarm members.

Kapata explained that Mwila is the least suited individual to speak about the future, unity, or internal direction of the PF. She argued that his recent statements reflect personal anger and resentment rather than any genuine concern for the party. According to her, members should understand the context of his outbursts, which she linked to his removal from the Central Committee.

She said Mwila carried himself as though the party could not function without him, adding that this attitude was the root of his frustration. Kapata stressed that the PF’s structure is built on discipline and collective responsibility, not individual dominance. She reminded members that no person, regardless of history or seniority, is above the organisation’s principles.

Kapata also pointed to the period in which Mwila served as secretary general, noting that it coincided with the PF’s worst electoral performance. She said the loss of more than one million votes in the 2021 general election remains one of the most significant failures in the party’s history and reflects poorly on his leadership record. She said this should have prompted reflection rather than hostile commentary.

In her statement, Kapata urged PF members across the country to remain calm and avoid being influenced by comments that do not represent the direction of the party. She said those who are committed and loyal should stay focused as the PF continues its preparations for the upcoming General Conference.

She explained that the conference is the only recognised forum for selecting the next party president. Kapata stressed that the process is legitimate, non-negotiable, and will not be shaped by private preferences or side arrangements pushed by any individual.

Kapata stated that Mwila is free to leave the party if he feels dissatisfied. She said the PF will not pressure him to stay, nor will it allow internal competition to be manipulated in favour of any preferred candidate. She added that the leadership is aware of his interests and said the party will not divert from its established procedures.

She called on members to remain united and disciplined as the organisation moves toward an orderly and credible electoral process. Kapata emphasised that loyalty must be demonstrated through respect for party guidelines rather than public attacks or attempts to create confusion.

She reaffirmed that the PF remains intact and committed to stability. She stated that the leadership is focused on guiding the party through the conference period with clarity and without being drawn into internal disputes that do not reflect the collective position of the membership.

Davies Mwila has told Patriotic Front members that the party they once supported has collapsed beyond recovery and should no longer be considered a viable political organisation. Addressing supporters, the former secretary general said the PF had lost structure, unity and internal discipline, and was now unable to function as a meaningful political force. He urged members to begin identifying alternative political homes if they wished to remain active in national affairs.

Mwila said the party had reached a point where internal disagreements had become permanent features, leaving no room for genuine reorganisation. He explained that repeated attempts to restore cohesion had failed because senior figures continued to pull in different directions. According to him, the atmosphere inside the PF had shifted from collective planning to survival politics, with each faction trying to outmanoeuvre the other. Mwila noted that this environment no longer supported serious political work.

He argued that both President Hakainde Hichilema and PF vice president Given Lubinda had contributed to divisions through leadership styles he described as unifying in appearance but polarising in practice. Mwila said Lubinda had avoided calling for the long-delayed conference because he was aware the membership would not support his bid for authority. He stated that this reluctance to face internal democracy was further evidence that the party could not move forward with its current leadership arrangements.

Mwila added that the PF had lost its identity and could no longer articulate a clear political message. He said a party that could not explain what it stood for could not inspire confidence from its members or the wider public. He told supporters that many people who had left the PF were simply acknowledging this reality, while those who remained were holding on out of habit rather than conviction. Mwila said political engagement required clarity, direction and consistency, and without these elements, a party could not survive.

He also expressed concern that the organisation’s internal disputes had been taking place in public, often through statements and counter-statements in the media. Mwila said this behaviour had damaged the party’s credibility and made it difficult for potential supporters to take the PF seriously. He noted that when disagreements were not resolved privately, they tended to escalate, leading to a cycle of confusion that weakened the party further.

Mwila said the membership needed to accept that the PF had moved past the stage where reforms could restore its effectiveness. He explained that several attempts to rebuild the organisation had failed because leaders could not agree on a single direction or shared plan. Mwila said a party needed discipline and unity in order to negotiate national politics, and that the PF no longer had either. He urged members to consider their personal political futures and think about where they could contribute meaningfully.

According to Mwila, staying in a structure without a plan or a strategy placed members at a disadvantage, especially heading into a period where political competition was rising. He said individuals needed to position themselves in parties that were capable of offering representation and stability. Mwila stressed that leaving the PF was not an act of betrayal but a recognition of the organisation’s current condition.

He said political parties existed to provide platforms for participation, and when they failed to perform that role, members were free to move on. Mwila encouraged supporters not to wait for the situation inside the PF to improve, saying the challenges had persisted for too long and showed no signs of ending. He said that without unity, direction and seriousness, there was no pathway for the party to regain relevance before future elections.

Mwila told supporters that clinging to a failing structure would leave them without a political voice. He said this was the time for members to look ahead, reorganise their political lives and join structures that could provide a future. He added that the PF had reached its final stage of decline and that it was better for individuals to reposition themselves rather than wait for an unlikely recovery.

President Hakainde Hichilema has acknowledged receiving a formal letter from a group of opposition political leaders outlining concerns related to the current constitutional reform process under Bill 7. The communication was delivered to State House earlier this week and has since been confirmed by Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, who stated that the President had taken note of the issues raised and would consider them within the broader context of national consultations.

Mr Hamasaka explained that State House had already provided general clarification on aspects of the reform process in recent public statements, but the letter from the opposition would still form part of the documentation being reviewed as government prepares for wider engagement. He said the President valued dialogue that contributes to strengthening national governance, even where views differ on the direction or pace of reforms.

The opposition leaders, whose identities were not listed in the front-page summary, argued in their letter that the reform process required deeper consultation and should reflect broader national consensus rather than be driven by the Executive alone. They expressed concerns about transparency, timing, and the level of public participation available so far. According to the letter, they believed that more inclusive mechanisms were necessary to protect the integrity of constitutional changes.

Mr Hamasaka stated that the President had no objection to receiving the letter and maintained that all voices, including the opposition, would be taken into account. He noted that President Hichilema had consistently encouraged constructive engagement, particularly on matters of national importance such as constitutional reform. He added that the government was committed to ensuring that submissions from different stakeholders were recognised and processed appropriately.

The Chief Communications Specialist stressed that State House viewed the reform process as part of a broader dialogue that should involve not only political groups but also civil society organisations, religious bodies, professional associations, and institutions with an established interest in governance. He said the President had repeatedly emphasised the need for sincerity and civility in national discussions, particularly where constitutional matters are concerned.

The letter reportedly proposed alternative pathways to managing amendments, including a phased approach that would allow for deeper public education, targeted consultations and a summary of consensus points before any bill is taken through Parliament. It also urged State House to ensure that submissions already made by various groups, especially civic organisations, were not overlooked.

Mr Hamasaka reiterated that the President believed engagement must be open and transparent but also realistic in terms of time and legislative procedures. He said the opposition’s concerns would be examined together with other submissions from groups that had met the President in recent weeks. These include clergy representatives, youth organisations, civic associations and professional bodies, many of whom have publicly shared their positions on the pace and substance of the amendment process.

The Chief Communications Specialist stated that although disagreements were expected, there was value in acknowledging the role of the opposition in democratic governance. He added that the President had always encouraged political leaders to participate meaningfully rather than limit themselves to commentary without offering solutions. In his view, structured dialogue could reduce tensions and provide clarity on areas where political actors diverged.

Mr Hamasaka also highlighted that government had continued to emphasise the importance of respecting institutional procedures. He said constitutional amendments required careful handling because they involved the fundamental legal framework that guides the operations of the state. The administration, he noted, intended to ensure that whatever amendments are ultimately presented to Parliament reflect a fair consideration of the positions expressed by stakeholders.

He added that although public debate had intensified around certain provisions, the reform process remained open and would accommodate further submissions. He urged all political actors and interest groups to use recognised channels to make their contributions so that the conversation remains organised and reflective of national priorities.

The President’s response, according to Mr Hamasaka, aligns with his ongoing message of promoting constructive engagement and national cohesion. He said that while disagreements over constitutional matters were normal, the goal should always be to advance Zambia’s governance framework rather than deepen political divisions. State House, he emphasised, remained committed to ensuring that the reform process is conducted with professionalism and sensitivity to the expectations of citizens.

The Chief Communications Specialist underscored that the President viewed the receipt of the letter as part of the ongoing democratic process, not as an adversarial confrontation. He encouraged political leaders to focus on substance rather than rhetoric and to engage in dialogue that produces outcomes beneficial to the country. He concluded by noting that the President would continue to welcome constructive submissions as the amendment process progresses.