The United Party for National Development (UPND) has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by party member Charles Longwe, who is challenging the legality of the party’s leadership and seeking the appointment of an interim committee.
Mr. Longwe has sued the UPND Secretary General, seeking a declaration that the party’s National Management Committee is illegal or that its mandate expired on February 14, 2026, in accordance with the UPND constitution.
He is also asking the court to restrain the current leadership from conducting party business and to appoint him to head an interim committee with powers to run the party.
However, in its defence filed through L.J. Michaels Legal Practitioners, the UPND argues that Mr. Longwe lacks legal standing, claiming that he only recently became a party member and has not suffered any prejudice.
The party further contends that the action is procedurally defective because it was commenced without an acknowledged demand letter, as required under the High Court Rules.
The UPND maintains that all office bearers are lawfully in office following intra-party elections held between January and April 2026.
The party also argues that neither the UPND constitution nor the law permits the appointment of an ordinary member to replace the National Management Committee.
The party is now asking the court to dismiss the matter with costs, arguing that the claim discloses no reasonable cause of action.
By Josphat Hamakala
