By the Independent Political Correspondent
Saturday, 21st February, 2026
On 16th February, The Independent ran a story under the title “Grave Contradiction: Betrayal of Integrity by Binwell Mpundu and the Ichabaiche Movement.” In that article, we made it clear that we had irrefutable evidence that Binwell Mpundu, who had climbed the highest moral mountain to condemn colleagues that voted in favour of Bill 7, was in fact quoting and engaging the very individuals he was castigating — and quietly seeking to join the Tonse Alliance.
What began as rumour has now matured into reality. The marriage of convenience has been consummated.
This development is not merely political news; it is a tragedy — especially for young leaders who looked to Mpundu as a symbol of defiance and principle. When a man who publicly accuses others of betraying the people of Zambia later chooses to align himself with those same figures, citizens are left with one unavoidable question: What then becomes of the values he claimed to defend?
If Binwell can join Tonse, an alliance led by individuals he alleged had betrayed public trust, what are we to make of his earlier moral outrage? Was it conviction — or choreography? Was it integrity — or theatre?
Leadership demands consistency between word and deed. You cannot, in one breath, brand your colleagues as betrayers and, in less than two months, feast at the same table. When actions contradict rhetoric so starkly, it is not merely a political shift — it is a revelation of character.
The Independent believes this moment must serve as a civic lesson. Citizens must begin interrogating candidates more critically. It is no longer enough to be moved by passionate speeches on the floor of Parliament. We must measure leaders by the alignment between what they say and what they ultimately do.
What Mpundu has demonstrated, regrettably, is a pattern consistent with political grooming under the Patriotic Front. The loud declarations, the dramatic moral positioning, the denunciations — they now appear less like principled stands and more like stagecraft. When the rubber hit the road, the mask slipped.
This is not merely about political survival. It is about alignment. If one truly meant well for Zambia, the present structure and composition of Tonse would logically be the last formation to embrace — particularly for someone who premised his political identity on rejecting the excesses and alleged failures of that very circle.
It is common knowledge within political corridors that discussions were held with Citizens First, the Socialist Party, and WOZA. We are reliably informed that the initial requests were telling: consideration as a running mate or a senior ministerial position, and financial backing for the Ichabaiche candidates in the August elections.
That alone should have sounded alarm bells.
How does one form a political movement and immediately look to other parties to bankroll its operations? What type of leadership takes pride in external sponsorship of its own structures? If you lack the capacity to mobilise resources independently, how do you convincingly present yourself as presidential material?
Leadership is not merely about ambition; it is about capacity. If one cannot sustain a movement without dependency, perhaps it is wiser to contest at parliamentary level rather than stretch credibility at presidential altitude. Otherwise, the risk is not just political defeat — it is erosion of public trust.
Ichabaiche, predominantly composed of former PF members, now appears to have completed a political circle. The return may not carry the same name, but the familiar faces remain. The Forum for Democracy and Development, founded by the late Gen Christon Tembo and developed into a nationwide party by Edith Nawakwi, the two leaders that anchored the party on strong convictions about integrity and accountability. One cannot help but wonder what they would make of today’s trajectory — particularly of imagery and symbolism that leans heavily on personalities rather than principles. This credit goes to State Counsel Chifumu Banda who seem to have mortgaged the Party to “shifty bidders” that are now overflying Edgar Chagwa Lungu and Michael Chilufya Sata images at FDD offices as a means of trying to draw strength from the dead – sic.
Zambia’s young leaders deserve better role models. They deserve men and women whose political paths are defined not by convenience but by conviction. They deserve leadership that understands that integrity is not seasonal — it must endure both applause and isolation.
This is why we say: what a tragedy to young leaders.
The fall of a man who once stood tall on principle is not just his own loss; it is a cautionary tale for a generation watching closely. Citizens must now look beyond eloquence and examine consistency. Beyond noise, they must seek substance. Beyond performance, they must demand principle.
In politics, character eventually reveals itself. And when it does, it speaks louder than any speech ever delivered in Parliament.
