Patriotic Front (PF) faction leader Miles Sampa has filed an application in the Constitutional Court, requesting to be joined as a respondent in the case brought by PF faction Secretary General Morgan Ng’ona.
Ng’ona is seeking the declaration of the Matero parliamentary seat, currently held by Sampa, as vacant.
In his application, Sampa contends that his joinder is necessary to defend his position as MP for Matero.
He outlined a series of events related to his leadership role within the PF and his constitutional authority as party president.
Sampa stated that he was elected PF president in October 2023, during which he appointed Ng’ona as Secretary General and a member of the Central Committee.
However, he said he later exercised his powers to relieve Ng’ona of his duties on June 28, 2024, citing insubordination.
Sampa claimed that Ng’ona had refused to comply with instructions to write a letter reversing the expulsion of nine PF MPs , actions he described as prejudicial to the party.
Sampa further noted that on June 30, he dissolved the Central Committee in line with the party’s constitution, a decision he communicated to all members.
However, Ng’ona challenged this action in the High Court under cause no. 2024/HP/0938, securing an interim stay order on July 4.
According to Sampa, the court’s interim order reinstated Ng’ona to his position as Secretary General, maintaining the status quo as it was before the commencement of the proceedings.
Sampa argued that the order was granted without giving him or other affected parties an opportunity to present their position.
He expressed concern that Ng’ona has since used the stay order to make decisions, including appointing Robert Chabinga as acting PF president, expelling Sampa and others from the party, and altering party leadership records with the Registrar of Societies.
Sampa described these actions as unlawful, claiming they were based on an improperly obtained court order.
Sampa also accused Ng’ona of abusing the court process by initiating the current petition while a related case is still ongoing in another division of the High Court.
He argued that the continuation of the interim order is causing irreparable harm to the party, disrupting its operations and decision-making processes.
In his application, Sampa requested the court to allow his joinder to the proceedings, asserting that it would ensure justice and that no party would be prejudiced by the decision.
Ng’ona’s petition seeks a declaration from the Constitutional Court that the failure by the National Assembly to declare the Matero parliamentary seat vacant was unlawful.
