Patriotic Front: Sampa challenges court order seeking to declare his parliamentary seat vacant, lists reasons

Miles Sampa has filed an application with the Constitutional Court, seeking to join the case in which Patriotic Front (PF) faction Secretary General, Morgan Ng’ona, is pushing for the Matero parliamentary seat to be declared vacant.

Sampa argued that his inclusion is critical to defending his parliamentary seat and the leadership decisions he made as PF President.

Sampa stated that he was duly elected PF President in October 2023 and, in that capacity, appointed Ng’ona as Secretary General and a member of the Central Committee.

However, citing insubordination and failure to follow directives, Sampa dismissed Ng’ona on June 28, 2024, and dissolved the Central Committee two days later—actions he claimd were consistent with the party’s constitution.

Ng’ona challenged Sampa’s decisions in court under Cause No. 2024/HP/0938 and obtained an interim stay order on July 4, 2024.

The order reinstated the status quo, barring any changes to the PF leadership until the matter was resolved.

Sampa contended that the stay order was granted without his knowledge or an opportunity to present his defense.

He further alleged that Ng’ona has since misused the order to obstruct party operations and make controversial decisions, including appointing Robert Chabinga as acting PF President, expelling Sampa and others from the party, and altering official office-bearer records—actions Sampa deemed unlawful and detrimental to the party’s functionality.

Sampa maintains that his disciplinary actions against Ng’ona were necessary to preserve order within the party.

He also accused Ng’ona of abusing court processes by seeking declarations while related matters remain unresolved in the High Court.

Sampa insisted that no party would be prejudiced by his joinder and urged the court to allow him to present his defense.

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