PF MPs and councillors cross the floor to UPND in Kabwe

Several opposition and independent parliamentarians have joined the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) at a community engagement hosted by President Hakainde Hichilema in Kabwe.

The defectors include Chitambo Patriotic Front (PF) MP Remember Mutale, Mkushi North PF MP Christopher Chibuye, Serenje Central Independent MP George Kandafula, and Muchinga Independent MP Emmanuel Banda. They were joined by Serenje PF Council Chairperson Staivous Mulumba, former Serenje Central MMD MP Maxwell Kabanda, and a number of PF councillors from Bwacha Constituency.

The new members cited the Hichilema administration's record on economic recovery and service delivery as their reason for switching allegiance ahead of the general election.

Receiving the group, President Hichilema said the UPND remained open to all who wished to contribute to national development, adding that newcomers would be expected to deliver tangible results in their areas. He urged existing members to integrate the defectors into party structures and work together towards the forthcoming poll. Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa separately assured residents that peace in the province would be maintained before, during and after the election.

The Kabwe event is the latest in a series of crossings in recent months, with MPs and councillors from Muchinga, Copperbelt and Northern provinces joining the ruling party. The trend has prompted legal debate, with Lukashya MP George Chisanga recently asking Speaker Nelly Mutti to determine, under Article 72 of the Constitution, whether MPs who switch parties forfeit their seats. A ruling is waiting.