TONSE Alliance faction Secretary General Chris Zumani Zimba has claimed that former president Edgar Lungu died a dethroned Patriotic Front leader, burdened by what he described as the consequences of Miles Sampa’s decision to hand the party to the UPND.
Zimba said Lungu went to his grave a saddened man, having lost control of the party he once led. According to him, Sampa’s actions stripped Lungu of his authority within the PF and weakened the former ruling party at a critical moment in its history.
He further revealed that before his death, Lungu had entrusted Raphel Nakacinda with the responsibility of integrating PF members into the Tonse Alliance.
Zimba said this move was strategic and intended to strengthen the alliance’s structures while maintaining unity among former PF members.
Zimba added that Lungu was cautious about the role of other senior figures within the party. He claimed that Given Lubinda’s strong attachment to the PF posed a risk of destabilising the Tonse Alliance if not carefully managed.
As a result, he said, Lungu opted to rely on Nakacinda to coordinate the transition of members into the alliance framework.
Commenting on recent remarks made on KBN TV describing the Tonse Alliance as illegal, Zimba dismissed the claims and questioned the credibility of those making them. He argued that Miles Sampa no longer held any meaningful political relevance within the PF and therefore could not be trusted to lead or comment on the affairs of the alliance.
“I have seen Miles Sampa, the man who sold PF from the hands of PF members and ECL, throwing it into the hands of the UPND,” Zimba said. He accused Sampa of betraying the trust of party members and undermining the very structures he once claimed to defend.
Zimba maintained that Sampa’s alleged decision to hand over the PF had far reaching consequences, not only for the party but also for Lungu personally. He said the former president felt betrayed and sidelined in the political organisation he had once led at the highest level.
He insisted that the Tonse Alliance remains a legitimate political platform formed to consolidate opposition forces and provide an alternative to the UPND government. According to Zimba, efforts to brand it illegal are politically motivated and meant to weaken its growing influence.
The Tonse Alliance, which brings together several opposition figures and parties, has in recent months faced internal tensions and public disputes over leadership and direction. However, Zimba said the alliance remains intact and focused on mobilising support across the country.
He reiterated that those who undermined the PF during its internal struggles should not position themselves as defenders of the party’s legacy. In his view, any claims of illegality or impropriety regarding the alliance should be treated with caution, especially when coming from individuals he described as having compromised the party in the past.
Zimba concluded by stating that the future of the opposition lies in unity and discipline, adding that the Tonse Alliance will continue to reorganise and strengthen its structures ahead of upcoming political contests.
