HH parries land fraud allegations

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has denied claims by two Kalomo residents that he fraudulently obtained their land.

Mr Hichilema has asked the Lusaka High Court to dismiss the case, insisting that he legally acquired the land on Subdivision “A” of farm 1924, Kalomo in 2005.

Ms Pheluna Hatwimbo, an administrator of the estate of late Samson Siatembo and Mr Milton Hatembo have sued Mr Hichilema for allegedly obtaining their land fraudulently.

Mr Hichilema stated that the plaintiffs have not mentioned the date of the fraud or misrepresentation with regards to his acquisition and occupation of Subdivision A of farm 9124 in Kalomo.

This is according to an affidavit in support of summons to dismiss action on point of law.

He stated that the land in question was created, surveyed, marked off and assigned to him some time in 2005.

Mr Hichilema contended that the parent certificate of title in possession of Ms Hatwimbo shows that his Subdivison A of farm 1924, Kalomo consisting of 222.6549 hectares was marked off by the Surveyor General from the parent title of farm 1924 of Kalomo on October 11, 2005, leaving a remainder of 192.9053 hectares.

He said at no time since 2005 did the two complainants or any beneficiary of the estate of the deceased (Mr Siatembo) ever complain to the police or him about the missing certificate of title to the parent property farm 1924 Kalomo.

He said Ms Hatwimbo and himself (Mr Hichilema) were the signatory of the deed of assignment relating to the land prepared by senior counsel Noah Kaponda Dindi of Messrs

Dindi and Company.

"I was registered as a proprietor of subdivision A of 1924 Kalomo measuring 222.6549hectares and a certificate of title was issued to me by the Registrar of Lands and Deeds on September 22, 2005,” he said.

Mr Hichilema said the marking off of subdivision A of farm 9124 (from the parent farm 1924 Kalomo) and the conveyance of the same to him by Ms Hatwimbo was a culmination of his purchase of the distributed portions from Mr Bernard Mazuba.

Mr Mazuba bought 2048 hectares from the estate and from other beneficiaries of the estate including but not limited to Mr Hatembo sometime between 2000 and 2005.

He said after he bought the same land from Mr Mazuba, other beneficiaries of the estate who had not sold him the land such as Mr Hatembo joined Mazuba, sold their portions to him (Hichilema).