Unrest in Sata's Patriotic Front

For some time now there has been an ongoing low level conflict with Michael Sata's Patriotic Front. It all started with some MPs revolting against the party position soon after the National Constitutional Conference Act was passed in 2007. The party decided it would not participate in the deliberations of the conference that was constituted under the Act instigating a revolt by 26 MPs. The fight has been in court, injunctions made to no avail.

Now the campaign has moved further by questioning Sata's continued leadership of the part. Some cadres are now suggesting that Sata should be replaced as leader of the party.

However, PF Copperbelt chairman Mwenya Musenge said in Kitwe May 4 that no PF official was currently ready to take over from Sata because they were all still learning from his vast experience in politics. He said Sata was the only leader that could lead PF to greater heights and it was important that party members continued learning from his vast experience before thinking of taking over the party leadership.

Musenge, who is Nkana MP, said no party member or official was currently ripe to take over from Sata because they were all students learning from the PF founder’s vast experience in politics.

But PF Kasama Member of Parliament (MP) Saviour Chishimba supported members calling for Sata's replacement saying they have a right to voice out their opinions on the type of leadership they want.

Dr Chishimba said in Lusaka May 4 that although Sata deserved praise for having held the party together under difficult circumstances, PF members still had the right to advocate for intra-party democracy. He understood calls from the youth on the Copperbelt for either him or Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili to take over the PF leadership and would not condemn them because he also believed in democracy.

“What I know is that the party convention was supposed to be held in March but could not take place. Of course the PF is for all the members but we need to thank Mr Sata for holding the party together because many opposition parties have gone under,” he said.