LAND SCANDAL UNCOVERED IN BWANA MKUBWA

SOME councillors in Ndola are selling land in Munkulungwe area in Bwana Mkubwa constituency, Member of Parliament Jonas Chanda has charged. Dr Chanda said he had received information that councillors, past and present, were colluding with people claiming to be political cadres in demarcating and selling land illegally. “I invited the Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya and Director of Planning Mr Simbule to a public meeting in Katondo Township, Bwana Mkubwa mine area in Munkulungwe. “This follows many complaints by residents who petitioned me as area MP concerning illegal and chaotic land sale by councillors, past and present, working with people posing as party cadres and ward development committee officials,” Dr Chanda said. He said this in Ndola yesterday. He charged that some named individuals had been selling land in the area which they claimed was awarded to them by First Quantum Minerals (FQM) that previously operated the now closed Bwana Mkubwa open pit copper mine. The MP said the letter from FQM however stated that Ndola City Council was mandated to manage the sale of the land and not any other individual with their cartels as was the case now. Dr Chanda said the chaotic sale of land had resulted in many land disputes, selling of land reserved for development such as markets, clinics, police posts as well as giving plots on designated roads. He therefore, warned individuals who were corruptly selling land that they would be dealt with sternly because no one was above the law. “I stand with the people of Munkulungwe who should be given the first priority in land allocation in the area in which they have lived for years. The poorest Munkulungwe resident should be given a piece of land and no exploitation of local people by rich outsiders and foreigners will be tolerated,” he said. Dr Chanda said he would continue supporting Government in parliament to expedite the finalisation of the National Land Policy which would empower Zambians to own land not foreigners. He further stated that after a meeting with Ndola City Council Management, it was decided that no houses would be demolished. Dr Chanda however urged the people to follow the law when constructing their houses and other development projects. And NCC Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya emphasized that no individual had the right to sell land on behalf of the council.