By 
Chief Chikwanda of the Bemba people in Mpika has told the Lusaka High Court that some members of the Learn to Share Mining Cooperative, which operated a gold mine in his chiefdom, were ex-convicts allegedly involved in criminal activities including theft, violence, and sexual assault.
The traditional leader, whose full name is Maxwell Machiko, denied accusations of grabbing gold from the cooperative.
He stated that he involved the police to stop mineral theft and maintain order in the area.
In a counterclaim to the ongoing legal dispute, Chief Chikwanda defended his decision to banish the cooperative’s chairperson, Roy Mwenzeko, and six others from the chiefdom. He argued that the expulsion was lawful and necessary for the safety and peace of his subjects.
He accused Mwenzeko of administering expired drugs sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, without approval from the Ministry of Health, to mine workers—actions he claimed led to unexplained illnesses.
The matter, he said, was reported to health authorities.
Chief Chikwanda further alleged that the plaintiffs, all based in Lusaka, had been expelled from the cooperative for misappropriating funds and engaging in criminal behavior that affected workers and residents alike.
“The defendant will aver at trial that a report was presented to the chiefdom that the said plaintiffs were expelled from the cooperative for various offences of misappropriation of cooperative funds and acts of violence, theft and sexual assault among the cooperative workers and the general subjects of the chiefdom,” the counterclaim stated.
He is seeking a court order to compel the plaintiffs to leave his chiefdom, maintaining that his decree of banishment remains in effect.
Additionally, he wants an injunction to restrain them from continuing alleged criminal activities and is challenging the legality of being served court documents through media rather than personal delivery.
He is also claiming interest and costs.
Mr Mwenzeko and other board members sued Chief Chikwanda last month, accusing him of abusing his traditional authority by interfering in the cooperative’s gold mining operations and seizing gold for personal use.
In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs said they were duly elected at a general meeting on October 10, 2024, and alleged that Chief Chikwanda began meddling in the cooperative’s affairs by taking advantage of internal disputes.
Read More: Chief Chikwanda sued over alleged gold seizure, interference in local mining cooperative
Between February 13 and March 5, 2025, they reportedly received letters from the chief ordering them to vacate the chiefdom within seven days.
They also claimed that police officers dispatched by the chief had halted mining operations and seized gold from the site without due process.
In his defence, Chief Chikwanda denied any wrongdoing, stating that the plaintiffs’ claims lacked credibility and specificity.
He said he acted within his traditional mandate to preserve law and order and challenged the plaintiffs to provide strict proof of their allegations.
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