By 
Senior Chief Muchinda Kankomba Welala III of the Lala/Swaka people in Central Province has sued Silverlands Zambia Limited in the Lusaka High Court, alleging unlawful occupation of customary land, displacement of residents and acts of harassment, including a fatal incident.
The civil matter, docketed as 2025HP1735 and filed on 2 December 2025, seeks declarations that Silverlands’ activities in Muchinda Chiefdom are illegal, cancellation of land titles, and damages for trespass, psychological distress and loss of livelihoods. The chief has filed the action on behalf of himself and his subjects.
According to the statement of claim, the dispute arises from land acquisitions made during a 14-year vacancy in the chieftaincy, when customary land in Muchinda Chiefdom was allegedly sold or converted to state land without consent from traditional leadership, contrary to Zambian law.
Upon his installation, Senior Chief Muchinda instituted a public land audit on 29 September 2025 to verify titles and respond to growing settlement demands.
“While most occupants complied and reached regularisation agreements, Silverlands Zambia refused to provide documentation or boundaries,” the claim states, prompting a demand letter on 20 October 2025 requesting the firm to surrender land.
The court filing alleges that residents have been displaced without compensation, with some fleeing to forests or the Democratic Republic of Congo. It further accuses the defendant of collaborating with Serenje District Commissioner, Paul Masuwa, and local officials to intimidate subjects, including the beating and public humiliation of elderly resident Doreen Mwape, who later died by suicide.
Additional allegations include threats to shoot the chief, physical assaults, unlawful detentions and deterioration of the chief’s health due to stress, including hypertension.
The claim lists evidence such as government reports, demand letters, village books, meeting minutes and a map of the Muchinda Kingdom. It names 20 headmen, Raphael Lesa, Elluid Katyoka and several affected villagers as witnesses.
Senior Chief Muchinda is seeking court orders to cancel any Silverlands titles, restore customary land status, and grant damages for harassment, trespass, punitive measures, interest and legal costs.
The lawsuit states that Silverlands Zambia, with offices at Building 6, Garden Park in Lusaka, has 14 days to enter appearance or risk a default judgment.
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