Kitwe land disputes continue

A ROW has erupted in Kitwe between the occupants of the flats on Chandamali Road in Parklands residential area and some suspected illegal land developers in the area who are believed to be backed by two suspended councillors.

The residents charged that developers had invaded the land between Mawlaik barracks and Parklands Secondary School on the foot of the tailing dam, which could collapse as the construction works were going on.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Ms Dorothy Sampa, said she and others were not comfortable with the construction being carried out, adding that the local councillor Chando Mbao was not concerned about the fears of the residents.

“That area is near the tailing dam number 25 and our fear is that with those construction, that dam can just collapse on us. We have brought this matter to our councillor, but his response has not been so good.

“Even the people carrying out some constructing works have no regard for the people. When you ask them who allocated them plots near the tailing dam, they don’t cooperate,’’ Ms Sampa said.

Ms Sampa, who is also Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairman for Parklands Secondary School, said classes were disturbed at the school as a result of construction works.

But when contacted, Mr Mbao said those who were not happy with the construction should report the matter to the council.

On the other hand, Kitwe Town Clerk Mbulo Seke said the council has no record of having allocated the same piece of land to anyone.

Kitwe has been experiencing numerous cases of illegal allocation of land, which led to the suspension of councillors last week.