It’s foolishness

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:35:56 +0000

…MP fumes over foreigners getting land

By Violet Tembo

IT is utter foolishness to demolish structures belonging to Zambians to pave way for a foreigner, Bwana Mukubwa Member of Parliament Jonas Chanda has charged, in reference to a Somalian in battle with locals over a piece of land.

Dr. Chanda has called for the arrest of police officers involved in the demolition of structures on the disputed piece of land claimed by both a Somali national and some Zambian families.

Reacting to the demolition of the 37 incomplete houses in Kakolo light industrial area, located in his constituency, Dr. Chanda demanded the arrest of police officers involved in the exercise.

Dr. Chanda described the incident as unfortunate, insisting that the matter would have been resolved amicably.

“I have received reports of a Somali national working with some police officers to demolish structures under construction and the victims are claiming to have authentic offer letters to the land in question issued by Ndola City Council (NCC).

“But my question is: why are Zambians suffering in their own country? All foreigners are kept at Zambia’s discretion or mercy. I feel a foreigner should not be granted permission to legally own land in our country.

“Which country can a Zambian go to or say Mogadishu capital of Somali and be granted legal permit to own land and if it is discovered that some people have encroached, they go ahead to demolish?

“And I hear there are police officers working with the foreigner to demolish the houses under construction on the disputed land. It has never happened in any country, only in Zambia,” he said.

It has emerged that former Ndola Mayor Davis Chiwala sold 25 hectares of land to a Somali national in 2011 where dispute over ownership has emerged between Kalif (Somali National) and 37 local developers.

Dr. Chanda disclosed that he was going to table the matter before Vice Presidents’ Office, Ministry of Lands and Local Government.

He urged the Minister of Lands Jean Kapata and Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale to push Parliament to pass laws that restrict foreigners from owning land in the country.

He has since appealed to the affected developers to restrain themselves and allow the process to be exhausted in finding a lasting solution to the matter.

However, Ndola Mayor Amon Chisenga has disclosed that Kalif (Somali National) was the rightful owner of the land.

Speaking in a phone interview, Mr. Chisenga disclosed that his office had engaged the young freedom fighter Lighton Nkonde, who is claiming ownership of the land in question, but failed to produce title to support his claim.

Mr. Chisenga said the only document the freedom fighter produced was a letter from an officer who previously worked for the local authority but had since been transferred.

“There is no document to support that he (Nkonde) was awarded land by former late President Mwanawasa but only  a letter written to him by an officer called Samamba.

“Documentation at the council indicates that Kalif is the rightful owner and he bought it from the previous area councillor who is former Mayor for Ndola Davis Chiwala.

“In Zambia, we respect title, let the man produce evidence that he was given land by the late President,” he said.

And Kalif, has continued to complain that the local authority has continued to issue letters of offer to the land in question.

He insisted that some criminal in the local authority were working against the process.