MINDOLO RESIDENTS CRY FOUL OVER IMPENDING ZR DEMOLITIONS
A NOTICE by Zambia Railways (ZR) to demolish structures built near the railway line has unsettled some Mindolo residents in Kitwe whose houses are a few metres from the railway infrastructure.
The residents led by Ernest Mulebi told the Daily Nation in Kitwe that they were unsettled by the notice and were now seeking audience with the company so that they could find a better way of resolving the matter.
According to a Zambia Railways advertisement of `demolition alert` of July 13 this year, the railway company gave notice of demolition to Illegal developers and encroachers on railway reserve land.
But Mr Mulebi led a 14-man delegation to meet the Zambia Railways branch in Kitwe yesterday in order to resolve the matter amicably.
He was however told to pursue the matter with top management of the company in Kabwe.
Speaking to the Daily Nation in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Mulebi said that more than 200 residents were affected.
"Following the demolition notice from Zambia Railways which appeared in the media, we would like to meet management at Zambia Railways. Today, we met officials at Zambia Railways branch in Kitwe.
''They referred us to the headquarters in Kabwe. So we will be travelling to Kabwe on Monday to meet Zambia Railways management in Kabwe,'' Mr Mulebi said.
When asked how they acquired land near the railway line, Mr Mulebi said the plots were given to them after a meeting between Zambia Railways and Kitwe City Council officials.
He added that they have documents for the same plots near the rail line.
"Before the construction of structures in 2010, the council and Zambia Railways had a meeting and the resolutions were documented. We have the minutes of the meeting. A go-ahead was given and the entire committee representing Mindolo residents met.
"In 2014, Zambia Railways decided to demolish the houses in Mindolo area, but were halted because there were good reasons and better solutions. Mindolo area is unlike other areas, hence there is need to get back to the drawing board and resolve this matter amicably," he said.
The notice said following an extensive verification exercise of illegal developers and encroachers and subsequent warning notices in the media, Zambia Railways Limited will now proceed to demolish properties without compensation.