State Counsel Wynter Kabimba says the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) risks suffering the same political fate as the former ruling Patriotic Front if it continues violating the Constitution.
Kabimba, who heads the Economic Front, has also described the continued stay in Parliament by PF Members of Parliament who have defected to UPND as criminal, accusing them of obtaining public funds by false pretence.
Speaking during a radio programme, Kabimba warned that both the defecting lawmakers and the ruling party would one day be held accountable.
“It’s a matter of time. UPND will not be there forever and HH will not be there forever. They will be made to account for this,” Kabimba said.
The former Justice Minister said lawmakers who have crossed the floor but continue sitting in the National Assembly are allegedly acting outside the law and that any legislation passed with their participation could later be challenged.
Kabimba, who in recent months has taken a relatively softer tone towards President Hakainde Hichilema following a meeting with him, maintained that constitutionalism should not be sacrificed for political convenience.
He further argued that Zambia’s democratic institutions risk being weakened if constitutional provisions regarding defections are ignored.
A growing number of opposition MPs, mainly from PF, have in recent months defected to UPND while continuing to attend parliamentary sittings ahead of the dissolution of Parliament.
Those who have joined UPND but remain in the House include Sunday Chanda, Davison Mungandu, Marjorie Nakaponda, Jonathan Daka, Robert Chabinga, Leevan Chibombwe, Anthony Mumba, Misheck Nyambose, Sydney Mushanga, Andrew Lubusha, Sibongile Mwamba, Taulo Chewe, Michael Katambo, Aaron Mwanza, Ackleo Banda and Elias Daka.
However, Chanda Katotobwe resigned from Parliament after filing to contest the presidency under the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), arguing that remaining in the House after joining another political party would amount to breaching the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Nelly Mutti has appealed for patience from the public, saying the National Assembly is awaiting a formal ruling on whether MPs who defected to the ruling party can legally continue participating in parliamentary business.
The issue has become one of the most contentious constitutional debates ahead of the August 2026 general elections, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of weakening the opposition through defections while government supporters argue that MPs are exercising their democratic rights.