THE Patriotic Front (PF) has adopted Gabriel Namulambe and business executive Lawrence Evans as candidates in the forthcoming Mpongwe and Livingstone by-elections respectively.

Mr Namulambe, who was MMD Member of Parliament (MP) in the same constituency, resigned to join the PF last month. Mr Evans is a director at Ng'ombe Breweries.

PF deputy Secretary General Bridget Attanga announced the adoption of the candidates in the by-elections which will take place on February 28, this year

Meanwhile, Ms Attanga said the PF Central Committee has deferred hearing of the disciplinary case involving Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda who faces treachery charges.

This is because of other party commitments such as preparations for the forthcoming by-elections in Livingstone and Mpongwe constituencies.

Ms Attanga said the matter has been deferred to February 23, this year.

"We had a busy schedule and the matter could not be looked at. We have by-elections coming and we have received new adoptions for these by-elections so the matter has been postponed," she said.

Mr Lubinda, who is Foreign Affairs Minister, is accused of collaborating with the opposition United Party for National Development.

The PF disciplinary committee heard his case and was supposed to be submitted before the Central Committee yesterday.

He is also accused of leaking party information to the Zambian Watchdog, an online publication, and the Daily Nation newspaper.