Lands officials panic over Roma plots

Fri, 17 Mar 2017 10:59:45 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

IN A dramatic turn of events, the Ministry of Lands has reversed its decision to suspend the cancellation of title to eight plots in Lusaka’s Roma Township it allegedly ‘stole’ from the rightful owners on the pretext that the issue was still under investigations and now says it will address the matter soon.

Last year, back-dated title deeds were issued by the Ministry of Lands with intent to mislead the rightful owners of the eight plots and awarded them to among others, Felix Yona, a foreign national and former Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga’s daughter, Natasha.

After the scam was unearthed by the Daily Nation, the ministry called the eight to resolve the matter at which it was agreed that the titling of the said pieces of land would be cancelled and the transaction reversed.

The ministry, however, hit a snag when the new “owners” refused to surrender the land to the eight, two of which they had already dragged to police on charges of criminal trespass before they were cleared by the police who said the accused were the rightful owners of the land.

Due to procedural delays by the ministry to honour its pledge, the eight reported the ministry to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged corruption in the manner the plots were wrestled from them.

Using the ACC as a veil to divert from its commitment, the ministry then wrote to the eight after a seven-day ultimatum it had given itself to rectify the problem had elapsed, saying it could not go ahead with the cancellation because the matter was under investigations.

In a letter dated March 2, 2017 and signed by Commissioner of Lands Wilfred Kopa Muma, the ministry said it was not in a position to cancel the titles it dubiously gave to other people and give them to the legitimate owners.

But latest information from sources within the Ministry of Lands indicates that senior officials were now under pressure as “authorities” directed them to rectify the mess they had created or face sanctions for the corruption.

“You people have created problems here. That letter you published where the commissioner said the ministry could not do anything because the issue was under investigations has backfired and brought serious panic among our bosses.

“They were queried on why they were failing to address the problem even after admitting that the plots were given dubiously. The authorities have followed this issue keenly and right now, the cancellation which we attempted to halt is in the process,” said the source.

When contacted for a comment if there was any latest development on their issue, group leader Danny Matembo said one of his colleagues had received a call from the office of the commissioner but said he was yet to receive details of what was discussed.

Last year, Luwabelwa Luwabelwa and Majumo Khunga, the purported owners of plot Nos. 38372 and 38373, reported Mr. Matembo and seven others to Chelstone police for criminal trespass on the said property.

However, police investigations released on 18th November, 2016 found that Mr. Matembo and his group had authentic documents, contrary to the duo’s claims.

According to a report, Mr. Luwabelwa and Mr. Khunga neither substantiated their claims that they had title to the said pieces of land nor availed the original owners of the plots in 2016 after they reported Mr. Matembo to police for criminal trespass.