Tonse Alliance dismisses reported PF defections as ‘Stage-Managed’

By Chali Mulenga
Livingstone, Southern Province 

Tonse Alliance Southern Province chairperson Omar Munsanje has dismissed reports of Patriotic Front (PF) members defecting to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) as “fake and stage-managed,” saying the claims are aimed at creating a false impression of growing support while Zambians continue to struggle with the high cost of living.

Mr. Munsanje said the opposition had not been provided with verified names of those allegedly defecting, making it difficult to establish the authenticity of the claims.

“We have heard that some PF members have defected, but we don’t even know who they are. No names have been given for verification, so we do not know whether these defections are real or fake,” Munsanje said.

Munsanje argued that some of the individuals being paraded as recent defectors had, in fact, crossed political lines long ago and were merely resurfacing for attention.

“Some of these people defected a long time ago. Now they are just appearing in places like Choma to be noticed. The question is, who are they fooling?” Munsanje asked.

The Tonse Alliance official described the reported defections as a sign of political desperation, warning that repeated defections reflected a lack of integrity rather than genuine conviction.

“Desperation is a disease. People defect thinking something will happen for them. When it doesn’t, they move again. You cannot defect twice and expect people to take you seriously,” Munsanje said.

Munsanje further accused the ruling party of empowering individuals for personal gain rather than principle, only for them to later turn against those who elevated them.

“When you empower the wrong people, these are the consequences. Some were given contracts, vehicles and other privileges, but today they are the first to denounce the same leadership that empowered them. Such people are bound to betray whoever they join next,” Munsanje said.

Turning to governance and the economy, Munsanje said government claims that “things are okay” were disconnected from the lived reality of ordinary Zambians.

“People can judge for themselves. If I cannot afford a bag of mealie meal, and someone says things are okay, then whose family is okay — theirs or mine?” Munsanje said.

Munsanje said the high cost of living had undermined government social programmes, including free education.

“They told us education is free, but children still need books, uniforms and shoes. If parents cannot afford these, then free education is not really there,” Munsanje said.

Munsanje also criticised the failure to implement the school feeding programme as promised.

“They said they would feed children at school, but there is nothing. People can see these things for themselves,” Munsanje added.

Munsanje advised aspiring politicians and members of the ruling party to enter politics with integrity rather than personal ambition.

“When you join politics to eat, you will be used like an egg in a frying pan — pushed this side and that side with no control. Politics should be about what you can offer the people, not what you can get,” Munsanje said.