Former minister pushes calls for forest 27 inquiry

WE are on course in our pursuit of a tribunal to address the illegalities in forest 27, former Minister of Tourism William Harrington has said.

Mr Harrington said the ongoing fight in the controversial forest 27 was a sad development and gives credence for the joint application to the Chief Justice to appoint the tribunal to investigate the matter.

He said yesterday, once the tribunal was constituted stakeholders intend to bring all the evidence of illegalities, irregularities and constitutional breaches in the manner the forest was degazeted.

“Very sadly the Deputy Justice acting on behalf of the Chief Justice has rejected our application and thereby denying us our legal and constitutional right to be heard.

The decision of the Deputy Chief Justice has compelled us to seek judicial review and in this regard we have sued the Attorney General as respondent. We strongly believe we are on course in our pursuit have the tribunal appointed,” Mr Harrington has said.

So we are politely reminding all developers and cadres fighting over land in forest 27 that the area was an illegal settlement and the law on such areas would be applied and enforced accordingly without fear or favour.

He said that the developers should be well advised and cautioned that the demolition of all constructions cannot be ruled out.

The Patriotic Front Government has a propensity for applying the demolition laws in many instances and forest 27 cannot be an exception, he said.

And Mr Harrington said once the tribunal was instituted the purported PF members accusing the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of grabbing land would be invited to testify.

He appealed to the purported members led by Joseph Lungo to bring any evidence they claim to have to support the accusation against Ms Kapata.