The much-anticipated elective general conference of Zambia’s Patriotic Front (PF) has been plunged into profound uncertainty following the issuance of two separate court injunctions. These legal actions have not only restrained key party factions from operating but have also directly halted the planned general conference, deepening an already contentious leadership dispute within the former ruling party.

The first injunction, granted on November 12, 2025, by High Court Judge Kelvin Limbani in Kabwe, specifically targets the faction led by acting president Given Lubinda. This order stems from an application by another PF faction, represented by Morgan Ng’ona, who is suing as a party member and secretary general. Judge Limbani’s directive compels Lubinda’s group to immediately vacate the Patriotic Front Secretariat and prohibits them from using any party materials, including letterheads, receipts, and other official documents, until the substantive matter is fully adjudicated by the court.

Adding another layer of complexity, a second injunction has been secured by Robert Chabinga, also from the Kabwe High Court. This order directly restrains the Patriotic Front from proceeding with its General Conference, which was originally scheduled for the month-end of November 2025. This restraining order was granted against Brenda Nyirenda-Chisopa, identified as the Patriotic Front Acting Secretary General, by Justice Kelvin Hancubwili Limbani, the Judge-in-Charge in Kabwe, who is seemingly the same judicial officer. The comprehensive court order explicitly mandates that the defendants, through themselves, their servants, agents, employees, or any other individuals, must immediately cease and desist from occupying the Patriotic Front Party Secretariat, using any party materials, holding meetings, press conferences, or media briefings in the name of the Patriotic Front Party, purporting or holding out as leaders of the party, and announcing the roadmap for the elective convention.

These injunctions collectively represent a significant blow to the party’s efforts to resolve its internal power struggles and elect new leadership. The legal directives also specifically bar the Lubinda-led faction from holding any meetings, press conferences, or issuing statements in the name of the Patriotic Front. Furthermore, they are prohibited from announcing the roadmap for the planned elective general conference, an event that was expected to take place in the following month. This development underscores the severe fragmentation of the party, which is now split into rival camps, each asserting its legitimacy to lead the PF and organize its long-awaited internal elections.

The Kabwe Judge has scheduled an inter partes hearing for December 3, 2025, where both factions will have the opportunity to present their arguments and positions before the court. This ongoing legal battle intensifies the power struggle within the PF, which has been characterized by conflicting claims to the presidency and disparate plans for the party convention.

Despite the current legal impediments, a number of individuals have already expressed their interest and, in some cases, paid the K200,000 Expression of Interest fee to join the race for the party leadership. These hopefuls include Zambian businessman based in South Africa, Joseph Willa Mudolo, Lusaka lawyer Makebi Zulu, PF Acting President Given Lubinda, and Luapula Member of Parliament Chanda Katotobwe. Other prominent figures who have met the requirements and are in contention include former Diplomat Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, Mporokoso MP Brian Mundubile, Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya, former Ministers Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba, Greyford Monde, and Chishimba Kambwili. Additionally, businessman Goodward Mulubwa and Matero MP Miles Bwalya Sampa have been part of the leadership race since 2023, highlighting the broad interest in leading the party.