Lusambo sues Chief Nkana over K2.3m mine sale proceeds

By GRACE CHAILE

FORMER Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo has taken Chief Nkana of the Lamba people in Lufwanyama to court, seeking payment of US$105, 000 (approximately K2.3 million) as his share from the sale of Bismark Mining Limited.
In a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court Commercial Division by his lawyers, Makebi Zulu Advocates, Lusambo alleged that he was instrumental in facilitating negotiations and investing in the legal and commercial processes that led to the sale of the mining company.
He stated that in 2021 and 2022, he committed substantial resources towards resolving legal disputes surrounding Bismark Mining Limited, which was ultimately sold to Grizzly Mining Limited through its chairman, Mr Ndiaye Abdoulaye, popularly known as Gunnase.
Lusambo claimed that after the sale was successfully completed, Grizzly Mining agreed at the request of Chief Nkana, Godfrey Shamanena, to release a portion of the remaining sale proceeds totalling US$165, 000.
This amount was to be shared among three individuals: US$30, 000 to Chief Nkana, US$30, 000 to Chieftainess Malembeka, and US$105, 000 to Lusambo.
He asserted that Chief Nkana authored and submitted a letter to Grizzly Mining confirming this arrangement and expressly instructing that Lusambo be paid his agreed share.
However, Lusambo alleged that contrary to the letter of instruction, the entire US$165, 000 was deposited into Chief Nkana’s personal bank account.
He added that the account was later frozen by the Anti-Corruption Commission due to unrelated investigations, but the funds were released to Chief Nkana in 2025 after the investigations were concluded.
Upon learning that the funds were accessible, Lusambo stated that he demanded his share, but Chief Nkana initially showed reluctance and later outrightly denied his entitlement.
On June 24, 2025, Lusambo, through his lawyers Makebi Zulu Advocates, issued a formal demand letter, but the chief failed to respond or remit the money.
Lusambo claimed that the refusal has caused him financial loss, deprivation of property, and undue hardship.
He is now seeking an order from the court for payment of the US$105, 000, an interlocutory injunction to freeze Chief Nkana’s accounts and prevent disposal of his assets, and interest on the amount due under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.