Kalaba demands withdrawal of Bill 13

…warns that the bill poses a serious threat to land ownership as it is as draconian as the now infamous Bill 7, says the land bill will one day haunt those pushing it

By BARNABAS ZULU

HARRY Kalaba has called on President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) to immediately withdraw the controversial Bill No. 13 on land, warning that it poses a serious threat to land ownership rights and will one day haunt those pushing it.
Bill 13 seeks to give the Chief Registrar of Lands powers to cancel land titles without offering reasons – a provision Mr Kalaba says is dangerous and draconian.
The UPND government has introduced a number of bills but most are getting roundly rejected by stakeholders, including the now infamous Bill 7, the NGO Bill and now the Bill 13 that has met a lot of resistance from Zambians.
“It is unprecedented how the UPND want to pass such dangerous laws just to please one individual,” Mr Kalaba said at a recent press briefing. This bill must never be entertained. It will place every Zambian at the mercy of the President and his appointed officers,” Mr Kalaba said.
Mr Kalaba has warned that the bill would ultimately backfire on the UPND, including President Hichilema because it is aimed at robing Zambians their rights to land.
“President Hichilema is too obsessed with creating laws that only serve his personal interests and target political opponents,” Mr Kalaba charged. “What he forgets is that these same laws will haunt him the moment he leaves power.”
He also questioned the motive behind the bill, stating that it creates an environment ripe for abuse.
“Imagine a scenario where political opponents have their properties seized without explanation. Today it might be others, tomorrow it will be the UPND,” Mr Kalaba warned.
He also raised concerns that Community House, the President’s residence, which allegedly underwent security upgrades using state funds, could be shielded or grabbed under such laws.
Mr Kalaba has urged Zambians of all political affiliations, including UPND members, to rise and reject the bill.
“Land is dignity. Land is identity. If we give away that power, we lose who we are,” he said. “Let us not let one man’s ambition override the rights of an entire nation.”
Mr Kalaba, who is a former Minister of Lands, said during his time, there were such manoeuvres but he did not tolerate it.
“You recall the time I served in that ministry, I did not tolerate such things. This law in its entirety is bad and takes away people’s inalienable rights to own land.
The President should not be given unbridled power, he is only but a custodian, but the land belongs to the Zambians. He must quench his appetite and ego to grab anything from people,” he said.