The Patriotic Front (PF) in Zambia has been plunged into a deep state of political turmoil following a dramatic late-night reshuffle by Acting President Given Lubinda. On a Friday night, precisely at 22:37 hours, Lubinda issued a video statement that effectively served as a political grenade, igniting further distrust within a party already grappling with severe internal divisions. In a swift and sweeping move, he dismissed several senior members of the Central Committee, provincial chairpersons, and long-standing party heavyweights, while simultaneously unveiling new appointments, including former Lands Minister Jean Kapata and presidential aspirant Miles Sampa.

This audacious restructuring saw the removal of key figures such as Party Chairperson and Lupososhi MP Emmanuel Mpankanta Musonda, Acting Secretary General and Lundazi MP Brenda Nyirenda, Milanzi MP Melessiana Phiri, and former Secretary General Davies Mwila. Additionally, four provincial chairpersons – Chomba Chipili (Northern), Christopher Shakafuswa (Lusaka), Abyud Kawangu (North-Western), and Tombi Tombi (Western) – were also relieved of their duties. Notably, Davies Mwila’s removal from the National Executive Committee came after he publicly declared Lubinda’s recent appointments illegal.

In their place, Lubinda swiftly appointed former minister Jean Kapata as the Acting National Chairperson. He further bolstered the party’s administrative and political framework by naming Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa as Deputy Secretary General for Mobilisation and Politics, and lawyer Celestine Mukandila as Deputy Secretary General for Administration. Lubinda also directed that deputy provincial chairpersons in Lusaka and Northern Provinces assume acting chairperson roles until substantive appointments could be made.

Lubinda's actions are reportedly informed and necessitated by Article 61(j) of the PF Constitution, which grants the President of the Party the power to "TAKE A DECISION OR AN ACTION WHICH IN HIS OPINION IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE DEVELOPMENT OR SECURITY OF THE PARTY." This constitutional provision, however, has prompted critical questions within and outside the party: who is Mr. Lubinda protecting the Party from, and how do these changes genuinely enhance the development of the Party? The timing of these dramatic changes is also significant, coming just days after Lubinda and Acting Secretary General Brenda Nyirenda had publicly stated they had not been served with a contentious Kabwe High Court injunction blocking the PF convention, dismissing circulating documents as mere "social media material." Yet, Nyirenda paradoxically filed an urgent application before the same Kabwe Court to challenge an injunction she claimed the party had never formally received, exposing glaring contradictions.

The contradictions and the purge itself have become potent ammunition for the contending factions that have been vying for recognition and legitimacy since the passing of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. These internal struggles have led to a multiplicity of court actions and litigation, creating a roller-coaster ride for the PF ahead of next year’s General Election. Lubinda’s reshuffle specifically targeted figures linked to the Mundubile axis, leading that wing to believe it was a deliberate strike to cripple their ground structures. Conversely, the Makebi base, long suspicious of internal sabotage, views these events as confirmation that "something serious has been happening behind closed doors."

Reactions from the party's grassroots reflect two competing narratives. Critics like McPherson Chanda condemned Lubinda’s move as "autocratic," warning that it risks weakening internal democracy ahead of the crucial convention. Others, however, countered that his choices could not be deemed factional, pointing to the appointments of figures like Sampa and Mukandila, who have visible ties to various camps. Supporters of Lubinda argue that the changes were triggered by "misconduct" and vehemently insist that "discipline is not selective." However, party insiders are keenly observing the implications, noting that several members dropped from the Central Committee still hold positions as Members of Parliament or elected officials, retaining full voting rights at the convention. This suggests that Lubinda’s reshuffle may not neutralize factional blocs but could instead deepen mistrust at a time when the PF speaks of unity but moves like a party in silent rupture.

The deeper crisis within the PF extends beyond these immediate headlines. The party, in its twenty-four-year history, has never held a truly elective convention. From the era of Michael Sata to the transition under Edgar Lungu, leaders were consistently confirmed by voice vote amidst a heavy cadre presence. Consequently, the PF lacks institutional memory of transparent, competitive internal elections. The ongoing delays in holding the convention only serve to further entrench factional identities, making it increasingly unlikely that any losing faction will peacefully accept defeat. The late-night purge confirms this perilous trajectory, with factions now convinced that Lubinda has fully revealed his hand.

Adding to the climate of political tension, concerns for Hon. Given Lubinda’s personal safety have also emerged. According to an account, Lubinda reportedly left Ndola after sensing imminent danger following the recent Kabwe incident. His departure was described as a last-minute decision to preserve his safety, with claims that his movements attracted unusual attention after leaving the city. A group allegedly comprising political party supporters and other unidentified persons reportedly tailed Lubinda’s vehicle from Ndola toward Solwezi in a Land Cruiser, raising further fear. This incident has prompted public questions about why Lubinda faces such risks while other political figures operate without interference, fueling debates about political tolerance and the safety of opposition leaders. The incident underscores growing anxieties about political tension and the need to protect every individual’s right to participate in national affairs without intimidation.

With an urgent Central Committee meeting, previously set for Saturday, 22 November, abruptly cancelled by Lubinda—a meeting intended to finalize crucial preparations for the General Conference including venue, transport, delegate register, and the electoral commission—the uncertainty now places immense pressure on the convention itself. Ordinary members are witnessing their party seemingly bury itself in layers of suspicion, legal battles, and improvised appointments. There is a palpable sense that the PF is drifting toward a congress where legitimacy will not be settled by ballots but by courtrooms and backdoor alliances. The only rational path forward, as some suggest, remains dialogue, potentially with the Chabinga side, leveraging the deep social authority of chiefs and elders in the northern circuit to settle disputes far quicker than courts ever could. For now, the Patriotic Front sits precariously on a knife’s edge, with Lubinda’s boldest move yet determining whether it will stabilize the party or trigger a final, irreparable fracture.