RESOLVE CONFLICTS ON LAKE KARIBA

GOVERNMENT should take interest in the wran gle brewing on Lake Kariba where locals are being fined for straying on supposedly privately-owned islands.

The strong language from the local chief against foreign investors allegedly mistreating his sub jects, is a sign of matters getting out of hand.

Chief Sinazongwe has warned foreigners with de portation or banishment from his area, for allegedly mistreating his subjects.

The chief’s concern is that his subjects who stray onto privately-owned islands are being fined, a practice unheard of as far as he is concerned.

To make matters worse, the chief insists that there are no privately-owned islands on Lake Kari ba because none has ever been sold. As far as he is concerned, all islands are free and open to everyone.

So where would an investor get powers to fine someone K700 for allegedly straying on their is land, if they do not own the place?

Clearly, there is serious misunderstanding in the area which should be sorted out quickly.

The minister of Tourism, Mr Rodney Sikumba and his Local Government and Rural Development counterpart, Mr Gary Nkombo should quickly inter vene and restore peace in the area.

It would be sad for locals to start moving with weapons to defend themselves against what they perceive as harassment by foreign investors.

The culture in the area, as explained by Chief Sinazongwe, is that the people survive by fishing on the lake. Therefore, any suggestions that locals cannot access any part of the lake within the coun try’s boundaries, is preposterous. At least that is the chief’s view and he is not mincing his words in describing those attacking his people as unwel come aggressors.

It is therefore imperative the government steps in before matters get out of hand.

The traditional leader said it is an insult to the people of Sinazongwe and their ancestors for any foreigner to claim ownership of any piece of land on Lake Kariba considering the huge sacrifice they made by accepting to move to higher land to pave way for the construction of the Kariba Dam.

Chief Sinazongwe has since called on the police to immediately bring to book criminals who are dis turbing his people.

He said he is shocked that foreigners are attack ing his subjects who live on the islands on account that they illegally settled there as the pieces of land have been sold to a private investor.

“I want to put it on record that all those islands on the water body belong to the government and at no time was a decision made that the same must be sold to a private investor. As such, anyone fight ing my people is in direct contravention of existing laws and must be treated as an enemy,” said Chief Sinazongwe.

We hope that the local police have taken this is sue seriously and deployed officers to keep vigil on the lake.

It is important that peace is restored and for in vestors and locals to co-exist. It is also important that the council gets involved and explains to the chief if there are any concession agreements with foreign investors which gives them the right to turn away local fishermen or settlers.

All in all, the lake and islands should be accessi ble to all. Everyone should be able to make a living from there, within the confines of the law.