GREEDY MP SLAMMED
...why grab land from locals to give to foreigners?
WHOEVER is pushing for the cancellation of title to land given to locals in Tunduya area in Munali in preference to foreigners must immediately be dropped from the ministerial position if he or she is serving, the Zambia Direct Democracy Movement (ZDDM) has demanded.
On Monday, the Evangelical Youth Alliance (EYA) told the Daily Nation that it had unearthed a syndicate in which a Member of Parliament was pushing for the cancellation of title to 70 plots given to Zambians and was planning to give the land to businessmen of Asian origin to put up a showroom.
EYA executive director Moses Lungu warned that if the MP did not stop manoeuvres aimed at compelling officers at the Ministry of Lands to cancel titles given to Zambians, his association will meet such an individual head-on and protect the interest of the citizens. Reverend Lungu said the MP wanted the titles revoked so that the same piece of land can be given to Asian businessmen to put up a showroom after receiving kickbacks from them.
And speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, ZDDM vice president Charles Kafumbo urged Rev. Lungu to immediately reveal the identity of the MP so that investigative wings could delve into the matter and that once found wanting, the said MP must be fired if he or she is serving in the current cabinet to serve as a warning to those who were abusing their positions. Mr. Kafumbo said ZDDM believed in equal distribution of land among Zambians because it was their natural heritage and that those who were playing accomplices to a rising scourge of selling huge chunks of land to foreigners must face the full wrath of the law.
He said while President Edgar Lungu had continued to preach about an end to corruption and other vices such as unequal distribution of land which affected Zambians, some lawmakers were shamelessly encouraging the scourge, adding that such individuals must be shown the exit door to serve as deterrence to would-be offenders.
“How can a normal MP in his rightful mind work against the Zambians that gave them the mandate to be in power? What will remain for Zambians if every piece of land is given to foreigners in exchange for kickbacks? We encourage EYA to identify this MP so that he or she can be weeded out. This person is an embarrassment to this country.
“It is sad that while President Lungu has been critical about many social evils perpetrated by those holding offices at whatever level, there are disgruntled leaders who are working against him and the only way to end this is to crack the whip on such offenders. This must start with those serving in his Cabinet,” Mr. Kafumbo said.
He said the Asian businessmen must also be probed because they could be among the many foreign entities which have been wrestling land from the locals using money.