11/01/2026
FORMER PF AND SOCIALIST PARTY STRONGMAN INNOCENT KALIMANSHI LEADS OVER 3,000 DEFECTORS TO UPND AHEAD OF CHAWAMA BY-ELECTION
Former Patriotic Front (PF) and Socialist Party (SP) strongman Innocent Kalimanshi has led more than 3,000 defectors from various opposition political parties to the United Party for National Development (UPND), just days before the Chawama parliamentary by-election.
UPND officials said about 1,500 of the defectors are leaders, drawn from different opposition parties, a development the party says reflects growing confidence in President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership and the performance of the UPND government.
The defectors are coming from several political groupings, including the PF, Socialist Party (SP), Citizen First (CF), and Zambia Must Prosper.
Senior UPND leaders led by Secretary General Hon. Batuke Imenda, Lusaka Province Chairman Obvious Summerton Mwaliteta, National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso, and other party officials formally received Mr Kalimanshi and the defectors in Chawama Constituency.
Speaking after joining UPND, Mr Kalimanshi described his decision as a “return home,” appealing for forgiveness and acceptance from the party leadership and members. He said defections from both the PF and the Socialist Party were continuing, with more members expected to join UPND in the coming days.
UPND said the mass defections demonstrate growing support for its development-driven and inclusive agenda, and signal strong momentum as the party heads into the Chawama parliamentary by-election.
© RJTFZ Media Team