Minister taken to court over land
A Lusaka businessman is seeking an injunction, restraining Lands Minister Jean Kapata, from demolishing structures built on the land he sold to other individuals.
Aaron Mulope cited Ms Kapata and a Lusaka resident George Malaika as defendants in the matter. Mr Mulope stated that sometime in 2019, he executed a contract of sale in respect of a piece of land on stand number Chong/ TLN574/167 which he offered to various individuals, who have now developed structures. According to his statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Ms Kapata instructed all occupants to vacate the property purporting to hold title to the land. “Ms Kapata obtained the said title using her authority as Minister of Lands as she had never developed the property within the requirements of the offer terms and was very aware that the land was in fact offered to Mr Malaika and developments had been effected,” Mr Mulope claimed. He contended that the title was fraud and was intended to deprive the genuine occupants, insisting that Ms Kapata was using her political position. Mr Mulope accused the Minietr of having hired agents to demolish structures built so far. “The act of demolishing the structures is likely to prejudice me and my intended beneficiaries who have spent colossal sums of money to develop and may not be atoned for by way of damages,” he said. Mr Mulope now wants the High Court to make an order that Mr Malaika executes all deeds that relates to transfer of the land in question and an order that the certificate of title held by Ms Kapata be cancelled. He also wants an order of injunction restraining Ms Kapata from demolishing structures built on the land in question and any other reliefs that the court may deem fit.