The Zed Examiner

The Zed Examiner We are here to give a clear and balanced view of issues trending in Zambian media on a daily basis.

**Speaker Rules No Proven Defection as MP's Who Declared UPND Interest Remain in Parliament**Speaker of the National Ass...
10/05/2026

**Speaker Rules No Proven Defection as MP's Who Declared UPND Interest Remain in Parliament**

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, , has ruled that MP's alleged to have defected to the (UPND) will retain their seats, citing lack of formal evidence of crossing the floor.

According to the ruling, the MP's in question only expressed political interest in joining the ruling party after Parliament’s dissolution, which does not meet the constitutional threshold for defection.

This decision follows months of political tension involving members from the opposition (PF), several of whom have been publicly linked to the UPND while still occupying parliamentary seats.

The ruling effectively means that unless MP's formally resign or complete recognized legal steps confirming defection, they remain valid members of Parliament despite public political declarations.

Among those named as having aligned with the UPND are:

Hon. Ackleo Banda
Hon. Sunday Chanda
Hon. Davison Mungandu
Hon. Marjorie Nakaponda
Hon. Jonathan Daka
Hon. Robert Chabinga
Hon. Anthony Mumba
Hon. Sydney Mushanga
Hon. Sibongile Mwamba

This contrasts with the case of Hon. Chanda Katotobwe, who resigned his parliamentary seat after filing to run under the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), arguing that doing so amounted to defection under Zambia’s Constitution.

The issue continues to raise debate over where the line is drawn between political freedom and constitutional accountability in Zambia’s parliamentary system.

*Analysis*

The Speaker’s ruling essentially rests on a legal distinction between political intention and formal defection. While several MP's have publicly aligned themselves with the UPND, the absence of formal resignation, documentation, or procedural proof means they are still considered legitimate members of Parliament. This highlights a recurring grey area in Zambian politics where timing, legal procedure, and constitutional interpretation determine whether a seat is vacated.

Why Zambia’s Opposition MP's Often Sound Stronger Than the Ruling Party 🇿🇲Many people in notice that opposition MP's of...
10/05/2026

Why Zambia’s Opposition MP's Often Sound Stronger Than the Ruling Party 🇿🇲

Many people in notice that opposition MP's often sound more powerful, confident, and energetic than MP's from the ruling party. But why does this happen?

The answer is simple: opposition politicians and ruling-party politicians play very different roles.

Opposition MP's are mainly rewarded for criticizing government failures, exposing corruption, challenging ministers, and speaking emotionally about the struggles citizens face. The stronger and more fearless they sound, the more attention they receive from the public and the media.

Ruling-party MP's, however, carry the burden of defending government decisions. They must explain difficult issues like fuel prices, unemployment, inflation, taxes, debt, and service delivery. Because of that responsibility, they often sound more careful and less aggressive.

In the , strong debate has always been part of political culture. Zambians tend to admire politicians who are outspoken, bold, witty, and fearless in public speaking. Opposition leaders usually take advantage of this style to stand out.

Social media also plays a big role. Videos of opposition MP's confronting ministers spread faster online than technical policy explanations from government officials. Conflict and criticism naturally attract more views and reactions.

Another important factor is party discipline. MP's in government are often expected to support official positions and avoid publicly embarrassing ministers or the president. Opposition MP's usually have more freedom to attack, challenge, and speak dramatically.

However, sounding powerful is not the same as actually holding power. Opposition MP's may dominate debates and headlines, but the ruling party still controls ministries, budgets, and government institutions.

Interestingly, this pattern is common not only in Zambia, once opposition parties enter government, their tone often becomes more cautious too.

So as citizens and voters, we should not be too quick to say a ruling-party MP has become “quiet” after getting into power. Politics changes responsibilities. What an MP says in opposition is very different from what they can say while defending a government. Once in power, their speech becomes more controlled, their decisions become more strategic, and their way of operating changes because they are now accountable for national leadership, not just political criticism.

Politics changes people’s language depending on whether they are fighting for power — or defending it.

MP's in Zambia: Caught Between Constituents, Parties, and Impossible ExpectationsIn Zambia, Members of Parliament (MP's)...
08/05/2026

MP's in Zambia: Caught Between Constituents, Parties, and Impossible Expectations

In Zambia, Members of Parliament (MP's) are often expected to do far more than their core responsibilities of making laws, representing their constituents, and providing oversight in Parliament. This is largely because they are viewed as the most accessible and visible political leaders, especially in communities where government services may feel distant or slow to respond. As a result, many people turn to MPs for direct assistance with personal and community needs such as employment opportunities, school fees, and local development projects.

These high expectations have also been shaped by the evolution of Zambia’s political landscape. Over time, MP's have become closely associated with delivering tangible development to their constituencies. This has led many citizens to view them not only as policymakers but also as direct providers of resources and services. At the same time, widespread poverty and limited access to essential public services further increase reliance on political leaders to offer immediate, practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Beyond public expectations, MP's are also often expected to financially support party structures both at the national headquarters and within their constituencies. In many cases, this extends to funding their sponsoring party as well as supporting the day-to-day needs and lifestyles of local party officials. This additional burden places further strain on their resources, and when they are unable to meet these internal expectations, they are sometimes viewed in a negative light by party members and supporters.

The situation is often reinforced during election campaigns, when aspiring candidates make ambitious promises in order to gain support. In some cases, these promises create the impression that MP's have the personal capacity to resolve issues that actually fall under broader government institutions and systems. Once in office, however, MP's often struggle to meet these expectations, leading to frustration and disappointment among constituents. This highlights the need for citizens to better understand how government functions, and for aspiring candidates to avoid making promises that are not realistically deliverable.

Overall, the growing expectations placed on MP's are driven by a combination of economic pressures, political culture, and a limited public understanding of the distinct roles within government. Together, these factors have created demands that are often far beyond what MP's can realistically deliver.

A clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of public officials, including MP's would help reduce unnecessary pressure on them and ensure that expectations are more realistic. It would also help direct public concerns to the appropriate government offices and institutions better equipped to address specific issues, leading to more effective governance and service delivery.

We need to change and learn how things work so we stop putting unnecessary pressure on elected officials,forcing them to find other ways of making money and end up landing in trouble.

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