KITWE DC RIGHT ON

THE script is almost similar and has been repeated countless times. A group of illegal squatters are given marching orders to vacate the land by the authorities or legal owners. They then march to the nearest government office, oftentimes the District Commissioner or another political office holder and cry foul – that they had occupied that piece of land for over 20 years or so and should not be removed. This scenario is being played out in Kitwe and involves “settlers” of Wangocha community in Chantete Ward. Scores of squatters from Wangocha community in Kitwe on Tuesday complained at the office of the District Commissioner, Mr Binwell Mpundu after the Kitwe City Council evicted them from the land they were cultivating on. The squatters who had been on the land near the Kafue River in Chantete ward where the council intends to establish a new park, wondered why the local authority on Saturday moved in without notifying them and destroyed their crops. But rather than treat them with kidgloves, we are glad that Mr Mpundu told them the “facts of life” concerning land tenure. Instead of politicking, Mr Mpundu was frank and candid with the squatters. His advice should be heeded by all Zambians who might find themselves in a similar situation, that people should always follow procedure when acquiring land as opposed to being antagonistic and seeking sympathy whenever they are evicted. Mr Mpundu said it was sad that most people were thinking that despite being squatters on a piece of land for a long time, they should not be removed. In a nutshell, people have taken advantage of the flaws in the system, that because they have occupied a piece of land for a long time, it gives them the right to remain there. In some cases, they have been misled by their local political leaders, who have no idea how land is acquired legally, and tell them that by virtue of supporting the party in government, they would not be touched. This is a point that Mr Mpundu took pains to explain to the Wangocha community members. It is a scenario that has also been played out in other parts of the country, especially in urban areas. “I think this issue of squatters must be dealt with properly because squatters think despite not having documents for the piece of land, they own the land because they have been on the land for a long time. “The 150 affected squatters had occupied the land illegally and must not use force in seeking sympathy. They should not be antagonistic, but must pursue this matter with a plea. I think I will not allow recklessness in the way people were acquiring land,’’ said Mr Mpundu. Mr Mpundu is doing the Wangocha community members a big service by explaining to them that even though they had been on that land for a long time, they were still illegal settlers. This, we feel, is how responsible government officials must be doing in their areas. They should not be condoning illegal activities just to appease people. People will understand and appreciate the position of the government if issues are explained to them. In the Kitwe episode, we are happy though that the Wangocha community have been assured of being given alternative land where they could settle. And from the look of things, they have accepted that they have to move to pave way for development. According to Mr Mpundu, the Mayor of Kitwe, Mr Christopher Kang’ombe had directed the planning department to find idle land where the squatters could be relocated. Mr Mpundu must help the Wangocha community by ensuring that they regularise their plots in the new resettlement area so that they could have peace of mind without fear of being evicted. Land has always been a contentious issue throughout history. People have gone to war over land and it is best that issues relating to land are taken seriously. We know that the Kitwe City Council has drawn up an extensive development plan for the city east of the Kafue River thus there is a lot of interest from not only the general public but business entities as well. What is important though is for transparency in the manner the land is being utilised.