The Editor Zambia
The call by opposition figure Sean Tembo urging Zambians to reject former senior officials of the Patriotic Front (PF) has reignited debate over the political legacy of the former ruling party and the credibility of leaders seeking fresh mandates ahead of the August 13 elections.
At the centre of the controversy is Brian Mundubile, the former PF parliamentary leader who now claims a leadership role in the Tonse Alliance while still maintaining links to the PF. 
Tembo, a long-time critic of the PF administration, argues that Zambia cannot afford to recycle political leaders who held senior positions in a government widely accused by critics of presiding over rampant corruption and mismanagement.
According to Tembo, allowing such political leaders back into positions of influence in government would risk reversing the governance reforms many citizens believe began after the PF lost power.
Tembo’s remarks come at a time when Mundubile has been increasingly vocal about what he claims he would do differently if given the opportunity to lead.
Yet critics say those pronouncements remain vague and lacking in concrete policy proposals.
While Mundubile frequently speaks about national development and economic revival, detractors argue that he has not clearly explained how his leadership would deliver tangible improvements for ordinary Zambians.
One area where this perceived lack of clarity has drawn particular scrutiny is education. Under the current United Party for National Development (UPND) administration, the student bursary loan scheme has expanded access to tertiary education for many young people.
Critics of Mundubile say that while he often criticises the government, he has yet to present a detailed alternative policy showing how he would improve the system.
For many students and parents who depend on such programmes, the absence of a clear roadmap has raised questions about whether the Tonse Alliance leadership has a realistic plan for sustaining or expanding opportunities in the education sector.
Tembo argues that young voters, in particular, should scrutinise leaders carefully and demand specific solutions rather than broad political rhetoric.
Mundubile’s critics have also raised questions about his personal track record. As a lawyer by profession, some political commentators have asked what landmark cases or legal achievements he can point to outside of his political career.
Former PF figures like Kelvin Fube Bwalya has previously questioned the professional accomplishments of several PF elites, remarks that have been revived by commentators examining Mundubile’s credentials.
Another flashpoint has been Mundubile’s recent comments on national television, where he suggested that the UPND government does not practice tribal balancing in public appointments.
The claim has been dismissed by opponents as misleading. They argue that during the PF era, key government positions were themselves frequently dominated by individuals from certain regions, particularly areas associated with the party’s core support base (Northen, Luapula, Muchinga and Eastern).
In the same interview, Mundubile also alleged that Zambia’s foreign missions were no longer using English as their official language and instead communicating in a local language.
However, critics say the claim does not stand up to scrutiny. English remains Zambia’s official language and continues to be the language used in diplomatic communications and official correspondence at embassies and missions abroad. In fact, Mundubile is being tribal by suggesting that one tribe is commonly used in Zambian missions abroad.
The controversy surrounding Mundubile has been compounded by questions about his political positioning. While presenting himself as a leading figure within the Tonse Alliance, he has at the same time maintained membership in the PF. The dual stance has drawn criticism from some within the opposition bloc itself.
Former minister Jean Kapata recently challenged Mundubile to clarify his loyalties, arguing that political leadership requires transparency and consistency.
Observers say the confusion surrounding his Mundubile’s status has contributed to perceptions that the alliance remains internally divided.
Equally, Sean Tembo believes this uncertainty only reinforces his broader warning to voters.
According to him, the electorate must resist what he calls the recycling of old political elites whose reputations were shaped during the PF years.
The debate also extends beyond Mundubile alone. Critics say other figures associated with the PF establishment, including lawyer Makebi Zulu, who previously served under former president Edgar Lungu, remain deeply tied to the political culture many Zambians rejected in the 2021 elections.
As the country moves closer to the August polls, Tembo’s message is blunt. In his view, voters should judge candidates not by slogans or alliances but by their record, their integrity, and their ability to present clear plans for Zambia’s future.
For Tembo and others who share his perspective, the conclusion is simple. Leaders who rose through the ranks of the PF during its years in power, including Mundubile and other senior figures, should not be entrusted with another opportunity to lead the country.
