Patriotic Front (PF) Acting President Given Lubinda has announced sweeping changes to the party’s leadership structure, removing several long-serving officials and appointing new figures to steer the organisation toward its upcoming General Conference. The major reshuffle was announced in Lusaka on Friday and takes effect immediately.
In the new changes, Lubinda confirmed the removal of Party Chairperson and Lupososhi Member of Parliament Emmanuel Mpankanta Musonda from the Central Committee. Also removed is Acting Secretary General and Lundazi Member of Parliament Brenda Nyirenda, who had been part of ongoing preparations for party programmes leading into next year’s activities.
Several other notable figures have been dropped from the Central Committee. These include Milanzi Member of Parliament Melessiana Phiri, former Secretary General Davies Mwila, and multiple provincial leaders. Among the provincial officials removed are Northern Province Chairperson Chomba Chipili, Lusaka Province Chairperson Christopher Shakafuswa, North-Western Province Chairperson Abyud Kawangu, and Western Province Chairperson Tombi Tombi.
The list reflects a broad restructuring that cuts across both national and provincial levels of the party.
In their place, former minister Jean Kapata has been appointed Acting National Chairperson, marking her return to a senior leadership role following earlier service in both government and the party. Lubinda has also reshaped the Office of the Secretary General by creating two deputy positions. Miles Sampa, the Matero Member of Parliament, has been appointed Deputy Secretary General for Politics, while lawyer Celestine Mukandila takes up the position of Deputy Secretary General for Administration.
Lubinda explained that the changes were made under the authority of Article 61 (J) of the Patriotic Front constitution, which grants the Acting President power to adjust the structure of the Central Committee, including the appointment or removal of members where necessary.
The announcement comes just a day before a Central Committee meeting that had been scheduled for Saturday, 22 November 2025. Lubinda has since cancelled the meeting, which had been expected to address key procedural matters ahead of the General Conference. Items on the agenda were to include finalising the conference venue, arranging transport logistics, confirming the delegate register, and setting up the electoral commission for internal party polls.
The upcoming General Conference is expected to play a pivotal role in determining the PF’s leadership direction for the next political season. Preparations for the event have been ongoing for months as various party wings work to align procedures and address pending issues. With their appointments, Kapata, Sampa, and Mukandila are now positioned at the centre of the crucial administrative and political duties ahead.
Lubinda did not provide specific reasons for the removal of each official. However, he emphasized that the decisions were guided by constitutional provisions and aimed at strengthening internal coordination and enhancing the party’s readiness for the General Conference. He expressed confidence that the reshaped leadership team would help stabilise and reorganise the party during this critical period.
The shake-up has attracted significant attention within the PF, particularly because of the high number of senior and long-serving members affected. As the General Conference draws nearer, the newly restructured team is expected to assume full responsibility for planning and executing the revised roadmap. Lubinda noted that further updates will be provided as the party finalises its next steps.
