PF faction president and Matero Member of Parliament, Miles Sampa, has refuted claims by Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, that his application to summon key officials over the sale of Mopani Copper Mines is procedurally irregular.
Last week, Kabuswe filed an affidavit in opposition, declining to assist Sampa in proving his case that the sale of Mopani Mines to Delta Mining Limited was irregular.
Sampa has applied to the Constitutional Court to summon Minister Kabuswe, Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta, and ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer Ndoba Vubetti to provide evidence regarding the transaction.
In his affidavit in reply to the opposition, Sampa dismissed the assertion that his application was improperly filed, arguing that it was instituted correctly through summons, in line with established legal practice.
He contended that the claim of procedural irregularity was unfounded and amounted to a mere technicality aimed at obstructing substantive justice.
He further stated that his initial affidavit, dated February 25, 2025, clearly specified the identity of the witnesses to be subpoenaed and the documents to be produced.
He described the respondent’s claim that he failed to provide sufficient particulars as a misrepresentation of the record.
Sampa maintained that his application for leave to issue subpoenas was procedurally sound and should be granted by the court.
He argued that there is no legal requirement for him to present evidence or witnesses at this interlocutory stage, contending that the purpose of his application is to facilitate the production of relevant documentary evidence.
He also rejected the notion that he was precluded from calling government officials as witnesses, stating that no party has proprietary rights over witnesses.
He insisted that summoning the minister, permanent secretary, and ZCCM-IH CEO was necessary to assist the court in its determination of the case.
Sampa argued that the opposition to his application was based on a flawed interpretation of the law and was an attempt to derail the administration of justice through technical objections.
He urged the court to dismiss the objections and proceed with hearing the matter on its merits.
