JOSEPH MUDOLO’S LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY QUESTIONED
After weeks of hype surrounding the candidacy of Willah Joseph Mudolo, popularly known among his associates as Mr. “Ndyonko”, for the Patriotic Front (PF) Presidency, his much-anticipated appearance on Emmanuel Mwamba’s Podcast has left many within the party questioning his credibility and leadership integrity.
While Mudolo presented himself as a unifier and a man of means ready to rebuild the PF, his tone and demeanor during the discussion have been described by insiders as egotistical and detached from the realities of genuine leadership. Many within the party believe that Mudolo has been convinced that financial muscle alone can secure him political power—first as PF president and, ultimately, as Zambia’s next Head of State in 2026.
According to sources within the PF, Mudolo is alleged to have given US$20,000 to Mrs. Mumbi Phiri, a PF Member of the Central Committee, during her recent visit to South Africa. The same sources claim that Mudolo has also placed certain senior PF figures—members of the party’s electoral college—on his personal payroll. Critics within the PF say such conduct undermines the very unity and transparency Mudolo has publicly called for.
Conversely, Mrs. Phiri, who phoned into the podcast and claimed to be calling from Chongwe, is said by insiders to have been in South Africa at the time, together with Ms. Alinedi Phiri, a PF official from Central Province. These insiders insist that evidence of financial exchanges between Mrs. Phiri and Mudolo exists and will be produced at an appropriate time.
Beyond internal party politics, questions are also being raised about Mudolo’s business record and credibility. Though he frequently claims to have invested heavily in South Africa, Europe, and Hong Kong, observers say there is little evidence of any significant investments in Zambia, where he now seeks political legitimacy. Critics have nicknamed him “Mr. Ndyonko”, suggesting that his claims of vast wealth are not reflected in the living conditions of people from his home village, many of whom reportedly remain in poverty.
Mudolo has also described himself as a money lender, or “Shylock,” but critics argue that such ventures have done little to empower local communities.
Meanwhile, some media and legal analysts continue to revisit Mudolo’s alleged involvement in the controversial Shepherd Bushiri case in South Africa—a case that involved questions around gold transactions and financial irregularities.
Although Mudolo has denied any wrongdoing, court records and reports in South African media indicate that he was among several individuals investigated by law enforcement agencies. Sources claim that aspects of those investigations remain open, although no formal conviction has been recorded against him.
Party insiders say these unresolved matters, combined with the allegations of financial inducements, have angered other PF presidential aspirants who insist that corruption and influence-buying cannot form part of a democratic electoral process. They argue that the PF must rebuild on principles of integrity, accountability, and fairness if it is to regain public trust.
Mudolo, who often portrays himself as a business-minded reformer capable of reviving Zambia’s economy, is now viewed by some within the PF as a long-term political project backed by competing interests rather than a genuine reformer. Reports also suggest that Mrs. Phiri and her allies have been lobbying for former losing Mambwe MP Makebi Zulu to become Mudolo’s running mate, citing regional balance ahead of the 2026 general election.
As the PF’s internal contest intensifies, many members are urging honesty and humility among aspirants. One senior official summed it up succinctly: “In leadership, one must have shame. Integrity must come before ambition.”
By Madalitso Sinkala
Ilelanga News, October 13, 2025