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Mines and Minerals Minister, Paul Kabuswe, has distanced himself from allegations made by Patriotic Front (PF) faction leader Miles Sampa regarding the controversial sale of Mopani Copper Mines to Delta Mining Limited.
In an affidavit opposing Sampa’s legal attempt to compel him and two others to testify, Kabuswe asserted that it was Sampa’s responsibility to prove his claims, not the government’s duty to assist him.
“The petitioner ought not to be aided by either the court or the respondent in proving his case,” Kabuswe submitted, stressing that Sampa must present his own evidence to substantiate alleged irregularities in the Mopani deal.
Read more: Matero MP, Sampa, seeks court summons for Mines Minister over Mopani-Delta deal
The minister further stated that, based on the Attorney General’s advice, Sampa’s request for a subpoena should have been made through a notice or motion.
However, Sampa failed to specifically identify the documents he sought.
Sampa had petitioned the Constitutional Court to summon Kabuswe, his Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, and ZCCM-IH CEO Dr. Ndoba Vubetti to testify, arguing that their testimonies and key transaction documents were crucial for a fair determination of the case.
His court filing demands the release of all agreements, government reports, feasibility studies, meeting minutes, financial documents, and official communications related to the 51 percent share transfer to Delta Mining.
The Attorney General’s office, however, maintains that the transaction was a “subscription” of shares rather than an outright sale, meaning parliamentary approval was not required.
Sampa, disputing this stance, insists the deal was a full sale that bypassed legal channels and should be nullified.
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