Lydia Tembo
A heated tug-of-war over leadership involving three groups has emerged within the Patriotic Front.
The three factions are fighting for the presidency of the former ruling party. This follows the death of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in a South African hospital on June 5, 2025. 
A group calling itself the “True Greens” insists that the next leader should be a northerner and have since identified Kelvin Fube Bwalya.
Another group is supporting the current acting PF faction president, Given Lubinda, to take over the leadership of the PF. This group also wants Lubinda to lead the Tonse Alliance in 2026 general elections.
However, a third group, which is led by two influential parliamentarians, is opposed to Lubinda’s leadership. The third group are of the view that Lubinda can not be trusted with the party due to his alleged treacherous behaviour.
Inside sources say the former ruling party is currently experiencing some major internal conflicts, particularly regarding the burial of their late former president, Edgar Lungu.
“The infighting has been going on since Lungu’s passing, and it is causing a stir within the party.
Further, the infighting has been exacerbated by divisions over the burial of the former president, Edgar Lungu.
One camp has called for an end to the impasse, saying the former president Edgar Lungu should be buried in Zambia with full military honours befitting the office he held.
Some members, including senior members of parliament, have argued that the former head of State should be buried in Zambia to end the funeral controversy.
Some senior PF members have since distanced themselves from any activities that would dwell on politicising the funeral of the former president. The third group has committed to cooperating with the government to ensure that the former head of state is given a befitting sendoff, unlike what has been happening lately.
A deflated Given Lubinda addressed the media yesterday afternoon, announcing his intention to report faction PF acting President Robert Chabinga to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Lubinda claimed that the leaked audio recording implicating Robert Chabinga is part of plan B, saying it was part of the scheme by the former ruling party to destabilise the government.
Surprisingly, no Tonse Alliance member attended Lubinda’s media briefing, and no senior PF members of parliament were present either.
Tonse Alliance is already split. Zambia Must Prosper leader Kelvin Fube Bwalya, who is also Tonse Alliance Disciplinary committee chairman, has remained quiet, perhaps deciding the next move.
Fred M’membe, the Socialist Party leader, was plotting to take over the alliance even before the demise of its chairman Edgar Lungu and has since moved on and appear to have resolved to go solo in the next 2026 general elections.
Harry Kalaba of the Citizen First Party prouds himself to be the most suitable candidate to compete against President Hakainde Hichilema.
