Chief Chikwanda countersues after mining cooperative drops eviction lawsuit

Members of the Learn to Share Mining Cooperative have withdrawn a lawsuit against Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba people, whom they had accused of forcefully evicting them and seizing gold deposits in Mpika.

Royd Mwenzeko and six others had brought the case before the Lusaka High Court, alleging abuse of authority by the traditional leader, whose name is Maxwell Machiko.

However, a notice filed with the court indicated the plaintiffs had discontinued all claims.

“This serves to notify the court that the plaintiffs, Royd Mwenzeko and seven others, have discontinued all claims against the defendant, Maxwell Machiko, in his capacity as traditional leader of the Chikwanda Chiefdom,” the filing read.

Following the withdrawal, Chief Chikwanda escalated the matter by filing a countersuit.

In it, he asked the court to affirm his decision to expel the plaintiffs from his jurisdiction, alleging they had engaged in criminal activities, including mineral theft and sexual misconduct.

He also sought an injunction to prevent the former cooperative members from returning or engaging in further illegal activities in the chiefdom.

According to the chief, their expulsion was based on community complaints and not personal animosity.

He further claimed the plaintiffs had been ousted from their own cooperative over misappropriation of funds and incitement of violence, and said police investigations had resulted in arrests and court appearances.

Chief Chikwanda maintained that his actions were lawful and necessary to preserve order and safety in the community.

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