Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:29:19 +0000
By Ketra Kalungu
THE submission of documents by sitting tenants in ZCCM-IH houses of Kabwe’s Kasanda mine township to facilitate the purchase of houses has kicked off.
Justin Kabwe Ward councillor William Kasusu and sitting tenants have since commended the Central Province administration for facilitating the purchase of the houses.
The former ZCCM-IH employees recently petitioned provincial minister Sydney Mushanga and permanent secretary, Chanda Kabwe to facilitate the buying of the houses.
Mr Kabwe said in a statement that the provincial administration has been advised by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development through ZCCM-IH that all sitting tenants should submit documents about their intentions to buy the units.
He said ZCCM-IH would be sending people to Kabwe to verify the tenancy of the houses particularly in Kasanda Mine.
A sitting tenant, Ms Nelia Ngosa of house number D60 commended Government for the initiative and said that the document submission exercise was a relief because it would give them an opportunity to own the houses.
Speaking to the Daily Nation in an interview after submitting the documents, Ms Ngosa said after her husband’s 17 years of service in the closed zinc and lead mine, it would be justifiable if only she was given an opportunity to buy the house.
Another beneficiary Mr Vincent Muwela of house number J116 said the documents verification exercise was an assurance to sitting tenants that they would finally own the houses after a long battle for ownership which landed some of them in court.
Mr Kasusu said the exercise could not have come at a better time than now because sitting tenants of ZCCM-IH houses in Kabwe who were not given an opportunity to buy the houses would now be given chance.
He has since commended government for engaging ZCCM-IH on the matter to end the confusion that surrounded the houses because each house would now have a title deed.
Mr Kasusu also applauded ZCCM-IH for allowing the document submission exercise after which the documents would be verified to facilitate the purchase of the houses.
The supporting documents to be submitted should indicate whether a sitting tenant bought the house or the money was deducted through the payroll towards the purchase of the house.
