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A Patriotic Front (PF) faction led by acting party president, Robert Chabinga, and Secretary General Morgan Ng’ona has defended the election of Miles Sampa as party president, insisting that the October 24, 2023, general conference was lawful and did not violate the party’s constitution or electoral regulations.
In a joint defence filed in court alongside Sampa, the defendants argued that all decisions made by Sampa since his election were valid and binding, as he was duly elected by PF’s highest governing body—the general conference—at a time when the party had no president or functioning central committee.
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Their response comes in the wake of a legal challenge by Mporokoso Member of Parliament, Brian Mundubile, and seven other senior PF members, who claim that Sampa’s election was illegal and unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court declaration that the election violated both PF regulations and the Republican Constitution.
They have also argued that Sampa’s actions—such as the expulsion of several senior members— were null and void.
However, in their defence, the Chabinga-led group insisted that former PF president Edgar Lungu’s resignation was immediate and clearly communicated in a letter, and did not imply that he would continue in an acting capacity.
“Once a president resigns, he does not continue in an acting capacity. The leadership vacuum meant that authority reverted to the general conference, which constitutionally ranks above both the president and the central committee,” the defence stated.
They further contended that the central committee’s mandate had expired, and that several top officials, including electoral committee members, had either resigned or been suspended—leaving the general conference as the only legitimate organ to elect new leadership.
The defence also rejected claims that the extraordinary general conference was irregular, stating that it was properly convened and that all members were verbally notified.
They acknowledged the resignation of the electoral committee chairperson but said that other officers were present and that one Mr. Malambo was elected to serve as returning officer.
“There was no Secretary General to receive such notice from the plaintiffs,” the defendants argued, in response to claims that proper procedures were not followed in calling the meeting.
Addressing allegations that outsiders were ferried to the general conference, the defence maintained that all participants were bona fide party members who took the initiative to organise the gathering.
“We did not break any laws. The party followed its internal processes under difficult circumstances. The plaintiffs chose to abscond and are now crying foul,” they said.
They also denied claims of unlawful entry or property damage, saying the plaintiffs must provide strict proof of such allegations.
Meanwhile, the plaintiffs have argued that Sampa’s actions, including the issuance of expulsion letters on December 6, 2023, had caused ongoing harm and undermined their right to freely associate within the party—contrary to Article 21 of the Zambian Constitution.
They are asking the court to nullify Sampa’s election, set aside all decisions and appointments made under his leadership, and restore the party’s leadership structure to its pre-October 24 status.
Additionally, they are seeking a permanent injunction to bar Sampa from presenting himself as PF president.
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