By ADRIAN MWANZA
THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has backtracked on its move to demolish houses in the controversial Forest 27 land reserve after Lands Minister Elijah Muchima halted the process awaiting release of a fact-finding report.
The local authority indicated that they would demolish all the houses in the Forest reserve because the developers did not follow procedure in putting up structures.
Some of the people affected include former leaders in the Patriotic Front administration, Traditional Affairs minister, Lawrence Sichalwe, Michael Katambo and even former Vice President Inonge Wina.
Mr Sichalwe said that it was unfortunate that the new dawn government was contemplating demolishing his house in the reserve which was near State Lodge because he used his life savings to build the property.
But Mr Muchima indicated that they would not demolish the houses just yet because they were doing things methodically and wanted to follow the law.
Yesterday, LCC spokesperson Emmanuel Lupikisha said that the council would not carry out the demolitions as earlier indicated as the minister had given guidance.
“We are not going ahead with the demolitions but wait for the report as going ahead will be more like usurping the minister’s authority,” he said.
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