By ROGERS KALERO and KALOBWE BWALYA
FOR years not a single aircraft has landed on the Kasompe aerodrome where more than 300 houses have been demolished.
Residents told the nation that in the absence of aircrafts landing they were assured of legality.
And Equity and Economic President Chilufya Tayali said information had surfaced indicating that the demolition of the Chingola houses was linked to foreign interests in a mine near the Kasompe airstrip.
Mr Tayali said the demolitions were driven by mining interests and not the purported illegality of plots allocations in the area.
Mr Tayali said a British mining company in the area, located near Kasompe airstrip had announced plans to invest $100 million earlier this year.
In April, visiting British Minister for Africa Vicky Ford revealed that a British firm was to invest $100 million in a mine on the outskirts of Chingola.
“The investment is expected to create new jobs and increased tax revenues for Zambia’s government,” a statement released by the British High Commission in Zambia while she was on a visit to the country said.
Ms Ford was visiting Zambia to launch a new investment model, which she said marked a key moment for Britain’s financing of private sector growth and infrastructure across Africa.
“We are committed to supporting countries grow their own economies, bolster private sector investment and trade, and deliver the returns that will support wider socio-economic development,” Ms Ford said.
Meanwhile, A UPND cadre of Chingola has come under heavy attack from her family for campaigning for the UPND and Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe who has now rewarded the residents of Kasompe area with demolition of their homes.
And other victims of the demolition have rubbished claims by the Mayor that he was innocent in the allocation of plots, insisting that he was the one who allocated them the plots and must pay the price.
Zinia Makina said members of her family had become hostile to her because despite being in the forefront of campaigning for the UPND, she had reaped nothing but demolition of their homes which included that of her aunt, herself and other members of the family.
The UPND led Chingola Municipal Council (CMC) on Saturday demolished 300 houses that were illegally constructed on the land for the Kasompe Airstrip, an action led to two of the mayor’s properties being set ablaze by the irate residents.
Ms Makina said her aunt, in her 60s, had collapsed from suspected high blood pressure after her house was demolished.
Ms Makina also said her relationship with members of her family had soured because they did not see the reason of supporting someone who would later come to demolish their homes.
“After that demolition, my family has become very hostile to me, I have come under attack such that we cannot sit to chat with them, they are telling me that it does not make sense to campaign for somebody, then he or she rewards you with the demolition of your home,” she said.
And some victims of the demolition have rubbished the claims by the Mayor that he was innocent in the allocation of plots, insisting that he was the one who allocated them the plots and must pay the price.
Juliet Kapalasa said the Mayor was the one who allocated those plots and assured them that they were safe, but were shocked that the council had decided to demolish their structures.
“The Mayor cannot claim innocence on this matter. No. He is the one who gave us these plots and assured us that all was well, but we are now disappointed and devastated at this turn of events,’’ Ms Kapalasa said as a group of women supported her. After an interview with the Daily Nation, some women chanted slogans against the Mayor which included “The Mayor must go, while others chanted ‘’ We want Change.”
Meanwhile, the demolition of over 300 houses in his constituency has left area member of Parliament, Chipoka Mulenga in shock, claiming he had no idea about the exercise.
United Party for National development (UPND) Chingola member of parliament Chipoka Mulenga has expressed shock at the demolition of houses in his constituency.
Mr Mulenga has since cut short his trip to Nigeria where he was on official duty to come and sympathize with victims of the demolition in an effort to find a solution for the affected families in his constituency.
Mr Mulenga said it was sad that others have valid documents while, others do not have any documents, but everyone has lost their property.
Mr Mulenga said he will see how he can support the affected families so that he can lessen the burden.
He said even though issues to do with land location does not fall into his office, but he will see on how he can support the affected people.
He however said going forward everything should be documented especially issues to deal with land and ensure that people are being taken care of in a dignified manner.
Mr Mulenga, who is also Commerce, Trade and Industry minister advised the people to ensure that they get valid documentations.
On Saturday, irate residents of Chingola whose houses were demolished accused Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe of being the one who sold them the plots at Kasompe air strip in Chingola.
And two suspects believed to have been involved in the burning of two properties belonging to the Chingola mayor after accusing him of allocating them illegal plots have been apprehended.
Copperbelt Province commanding officer Sharon Zulu confirmed that Luka Sapule aged 23 an illegal miner and John Chingo aged 15 a grade eight pupil, have been identified to be among the people that burnt the two properties which include a guesthouse and a servants’ quarter.
Ms Zulu said the two have since been detained in lawful custody for the offence of arson.
