Chief asked for money, court hears

CUPRIFEROUS Resources Limited and its chief executive officer Katambi Bulawayo have told the court that Senior Chief Shakumbila requested for US$ 20, 000 and K100, 000 as a pre-condition for the issuance of mining exploration consent.

The mining firm through Mr Bulawayo stated that the said amount of US$20, 000 and K100, 000 was paid to Chief Shakumbila through his representative, one Thomas Mushibwe .

In this matter, Senior Chief Shakumbila (Mr Chikumbe Chibamba ) of the Sala speaking people of Mumbwa sued Cupriferous Resources

Limited, and its CEO Mr Bulawayo for defamation in the Lusaka High Court.

In defence, Cupriferous Resources Limited and Mr Bulawayo denied defaming the Chief . Mr Bulawayo stated that the Chief made several requests to him through Mr Mushibwe for them to make available US$20, 000 and K100, 000 as a pre-condition for the issuance of mining exploration consent by the plaintiff (Chief Shakumbila) to Cupriferous sine qua non or the traditional leader would not issue the said consent.

He stated that after the said pre-condition, Senior Chief Shakumbila proceeded and gave full details of his bank account held at Absa Bank Mumbwa branch account no.1111714: branch code 034: to the defendants.

He stated that it was only after the payment of the said sums of monies that the traditional leader through his lawyer Mwila Chibiliti of J.M Advocates, sent a draft ' Memorandum of Understanding " which further requested from Mr Bulawayo 50 percent of shares in a company namely Bukomo Mining Limited where he is CEO.

Mr Bulawayo however said he refused to accede to the Chief’s request per the MoU , as on inquiry at PACRA, established that a company named Easiearth Resources Zambia Limited mentioned in the said MoU, was directly owned by Mr Mushibwe and

Mr Chibiliti and the traditional leader himself as the beneficial owner.

He stated that US$ 10, 000 and K100, 000 were given physically by cash to Mr Mushibwe by one Brian Chisala and balance of US$10, 000 was deposited into ' “Nganga Yalenga & Company Advocates', client account, at the request of the to aid Mr Mushibwe on June 19, 2020 per deposit slips of Absa and FNB accounts respectively.

Mr Bulawayo stated that the letter written on August 24, this year was copied to third parties as they were merely seeking confirmation of transmission of funds to Chief Shakumbila, which funds he had requested from the mining firm.