Horizon Schools won’t be disrupted - Kapata

OPERATIONS at the compulsorily acquired Horizon Schools in Lusaka will go on without disruption, Government has assured.

And Government has rubbished allegations that the school land had been sold to a Chinese investor to build a shopping mall, saying that the Lands Acquisition Act does not allow compulsory acquisition of land for private purpose.

In a statement, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata who confirmed the acquisition said Government had no intention to disrupt the operations and curriculum of the school after the process of compulsory acquisition.

Ms Kapata said the purpose for the compulsory acquisition was for public interest.

She explained that the Act empowered the President to compulsorily acquire any land whenever he was of the opinion that it was desirable or expedient to do so in the interest of the republic.

“Government wishes to confirm that the land on which Horizon Schools sit had been compulsorily acquired by the State in accordance with the Lands Acquisition Act; the purpose for the compulsory acquisition is for public interest,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms Kapata said the Lands Acquisition Act does not allow compulsory acquisition of land for private purpose.

She said allegations that the school land was going to be given to an investor were false.

Ms Kapata also rubbished assertions that the President had personal interest in the land.

“Government gazette notice no.6814 of 15th November, 2019 does not state anywhere that the president has personal interest in the land,” she said.

It is suspected that pressure from the Turkish Government may be behind Zambia’s decision to compulsorily acquire Horizon Schools, which are associated with Gülen movement leader, Fethullah Gülen.

On July 15, 2016, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan survived a coup d'état which was blamed on the Fethullah Gülen movement which has since been branded a terrorist organisation.

Now, Zambia is reportedly under pressure from the Turkish Government over the flourishing Horizon Schools which are allegedly run by the Gülen movement.