The Lusaka High Court has dismissed a case in which Morgan Ng’ona challenged his expulsion as Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General by faction president Miles Sampa in August 2025 following an internal party dispute.
In a ruling delivered on March 3, 2026, High Court Judge Concepta Zulu found that Ng’ona failed to comply with court directions issued on March 26, 2025, and allowed nearly four months to pass without taking the required steps to advance the matter.
Justice Zulu said the prolonged delay and Ng’ona’s failure to apply for extensions created a substantial risk that a fair trial could not be guaranteed. She added that the inactivity in the case was prejudicial to the proper administration of justice.
The court further stated that Ng’ona’s lack of progress in the case appeared intentional and noted that his explanation—that several interlocutory applications had to be addressed before the main matter could proceed—was not sufficient justification for failing to prosecute the case.
In the matter, Ng’ona had sued Sampa, challenging the decision to remove him as PF faction Secretary General. He also sought a declaration that Sampa’s decision to dissolve the party’s Central Committee was illegal, arguing that Sampa did not have the authority to do so.
Ng’ona also requested an order to stay Sampa’s decision until the case was fully determined.
In his defence and counterclaim filed in June 2025, Sampa asked the court to dismiss the matter and order Ng’ona and Robert Chabinga to stop presenting themselves as leaders of the Patriotic Front.
Following the dismissal of the case on procedural grounds, Ng’ona has since filed an appeal challenging the ruling.
In his appeal, Ng’ona argues that interlocutory applications on record were not properly considered and that the court did not determine whether the delay would create a substantial risk of depriving the parties of a fair trial.
