By 
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba people has been dragged to the Lusaka High Court over accusations of seizing gold and interfering in the operations of a local mining cooperative.
Roy Mwenzeko, Chairperson of Learn to Share Mining Cooperative, together with six board members, sued Chief Chikwanda — whose official name is Maxwell Machiko — accusing him of abusing his authority and destabilising the cooperative’s activities.
The plaintiffs — Susan Ngwenyama, John Chishimba, Lewis Lwando, Bledded Moyo, Daddly Chikonde, and Belladonna Mwamba — claim the traditional leader’s actions have caused them significant financial loss and emotional distress.
According to court documents, Learn to Share Mining Cooperative is duly registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, and Mwenzeko was elected Chairperson during a general meeting held on October 10, 2024.
The plaintiffs allege that Chief Chikwanda began interfering with the cooperative shortly after its formation, exploiting internal disagreements among members to assert control.
They cited an incident on January 12, 2025, when the cooperative’s secretary, Levy Katongo, allegedly convened an unauthorised meeting that deepened divisions within the group.
Between February 13 and March 5, 2025, Mwenzeko and the other board members reportedly received expulsion letters from Chief Chikwanda, ordering them to vacate the Chikwanda Chiefdom within seven days.
The plaintiffs further allege that the chief repeatedly dispatched police officers from Mpika Police Station to disrupt mining operations.
It is also alleged that Chief Chikwanda sent agents to unlawfully collect gold and mine tailings belonging to the cooperative, while police authorities reportedly failed to intervene.
As a result, the plaintiffs claim they have suffered severe emotional stress, financial losses, and operational instability.
They are seeking an interim injunction to restrain Chief Chikwanda from banishing them or interfering with the cooperative’s activities.
Additionally, they are asking the court to declare that their human rights were violated and to award them costs.
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