Court summons Commissioner of Lands over 52 Ng’ombe residents’ case

THE Lusaka High Court has summoned the Commissioner of Lands to testify in a matter in which 52 Ng’ombe residents are demanding K92 million compensation for demolition of their structures on Forest Reserve 28 and repossession of the land.

Judge Gaudentia Salasini has also order the Commissioner of Lands at the Ministry of Lands to bring the copy of the Presidential Decree of third President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa on the Ng’ombe displaced residents of 2002 on Forest Reserve 28.

The matter is scheduled for hearing on May 13, 2024.

In the last order, Judge Salasini said the availing of the said document to the 52 aggrieved residents and the court is in the interest of justice.

The residents sued a Tanzanian company, Super Star Forwarders Limited and its director, David Nkonde, Commissioner of Lands and the Attorney General.

CARITAS Zambia (Zambia Episcopal Conference) appear as an interested party.

Mr Laston Kunda and 51 others want a declaration that they are the rightful owners of the disputed land.

They want an order directing the Commissioner of Lands for cancellation of certificate of title no.203069 allegedly given fraudulently to Super Star Forwarders Limited.

They also want consequential expenses, interest on any monies the court will order as compensation.

They stated that Mr Nkonde is a businessman and a director at Super Star Forwarders Limited who is claiming to have been offered a Presidential Decree land by the Commissioner of Lands, while the company claims to have bought the presidential decree land from him (Mr Nkonde).

Mr Kunda said he and others were part of the N’gombe displaced owners of plot LUS 36921 who were given land by President Mwanawasa through the Catholic Church and Ministry of Lands.