SP leader M’membe blames ‘UPND’ after attempted coup

Dr Fred M’membe

Socialist Party (SP) leader Fred M’membe has blamed the current regime of trying to destabilize his party, saying there are calculated acts to undermine his institution.

His sentiments comes few hours after party mobilization secretary Kelvin Kaunda allegedly tried to grab power, saying a vote of no confidence had been passed against M’membe.

The party leader responded by firing Kaunda from the Politburo, a decision making body. However, went on to blame the United Party for National Development for sowing discord in the SP party.

He writes: Good afternoon Comrades,

We are fully aware of the intensified and clandestine efforts by the regime in recent weeks to destabilize the Socialist Party. These schemes are not accidental, they are calculated attempts aimed at discrediting me as the leader and destroying the party as a whole.

It is precisely for this reason that, on Sunday evening, I shared the message below with the rank and file of SP to alert our structures and to reaffirm our collective resolve.

Please be assured that we are ready for the UPND and its schemes. We remain committed to the cause and we shall defend our country and our democracy.

Below is the message I shared with the SP structures on Sunday, 26th October, 2025:

My dear Comrades,

I have been receiving credible intel that our party and its leadership have become the target of intensified surveillance and intelligence operations by agents of the state system.

The regime is actively seeking some weak links among us or someone they can compromise and use to undermine our collective efforts from within.

We must treat this as a serious and properly funded project to destabilize and ultimately destroy our party, the cohesion of its leadership and its activities. I share this not to alarm you, but in the spirit of comradeship and solidarity, and to remind us all of the need for utmost vigilance, discipline, and unity.

Let us remain steadfast, resilient, and committed to the just but very difficult cause we have undertaken, which is the liberation of our people and the pursuit of justice for all.

The times may be testing, but our resolve must remain unshaken. We owe it to ourselves and to the masses who believe in us, to stand firm and principled together until victory is achieved. Every night has its morning. It gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes.

I’ll be updating you regularly as and when there is a need to do so.

I urge each one of us to be firm, principled, and vigilant, and to always remember that there is nothing good about treachery and betrayal. Even Christ was betrayed by his disciple – Judas Iscariot – for thirty pieces of silver.

All the best to all, dear Comrades! Good night. God bless you all.