GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA writes @SunZambian
THE alleged dethroned senior chief Shakumbila, Patrick Chibamba has denied accusations that he breached the land circular number 1 when he leased out land to two companies.
Mr Chibamba claims that he leased out hectares of land to Avion Development Company limited and Shanta Sugar Estate Limited for the economic benefit of the chiefdom.
“The defendants have no right to question or challenge the decision of the plaintiff (Mr Chibamba) as regards him approving applications for conventional of land as whatever he does in his chiefdom is to uplift the standards of the people under his territory including the same defendants ,who benefit from various economic activities spearheaded by the plaintiff,” he stated.
In this matter, Mr Chibamba who is alleged to have been dethroned from the throne for gross misconduct sued in the Lusaka High Court seeking a declaration that he is the reigning Senior Chief Shakumbila of the Sala speaking people.
Mr Chibamba is seeking an order of interim prohibitive injunction restraining the defendants from continuing to interfere with the execution of his chiefly duties or his administration of the Shakumbila chiefdom.
The same application is seeking an order to stop any further attempt to dethrone him as chief Shakumbila of the Sala speaking people in Mumbwa.
He is seeking damages, costs and any other relief the court may seem fit.Mr Chibamba has cited Ms Netta Shakumbila, the alleged new senior chief Shakumbila, member of the royal family Ackson Shibalanga and a resident of Mumbwa Edgar Mwambula as defendants in the matter.
In defence, the trio argued that Mr Chibamba ceased to be senior Chief Shakumbila of the Sala people of Mumbwa district in Central province on October 11, 2020.
They claim that on or about November 2009, Mr Chibamba breached the Land Circular no.1 of 1985 when he allocated 7,650 hectares of customary land into leasehold tenure in favour of Avion Development Company limited which was, meant for agricultural purposes.
Mr Chibamba is also alleged sometime in 2014 to have allocated customary land measuring 7,540 hectares to Shanta Sugar Estate limited situated in Sibuyunji district which at the time was being used by the subjects for farming activities and grazing of their cattle.
In a reply to the trio’s defence, Mr Chibamba stated that the alleged position of senior headman Mwambula which Edgar Mwambula purportedly holds was not recognised by him in any way .
He however admitted that Mr Mwambula was a member of the Royal Establishment.
Mr Chibamba stated that his installation or inauguration was not done in consultation with the Royal Establishment committee and that his Installation as senior chief was well decided and was also proved as valid by a Supreme Court judgment dated January 4, 2018.
He said that the three purported to exercise power which they did not possess and acted in disregard of customs and traditions over his removal as a senior chief.
Mr Chibamba stated that the purported selection of the new senior chief Shakumbila was illegal and against the traditions and customs of the Sala people.
