Thursday, March 28, 2024

Serenje MMD official taken to task for illegal land distribution

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Serenje district council yesterday took to task a branch MMD official who has allegedly been giving plots illegally to people at a fee at TAZARA compound.

And Council Chairman, Cletus Malupanga, has blamed council management for failure to carry out council decisions such as demolishing illegal structures at TAZARA compound.

Mr. Tunnel Mambwe admitted having given out 22 plots illegally at between K200,000 and K250,000 to people who have built grass thatched houses.

A team of council officials comprising of Mr. Malupanga, council secretary, Yaphet Simpamba and director of works Vincent Phiri, yesterday meet Mr. Mambwe over the matter.

The officials intended to have Mr. Mambwe arrested for illegal distribution of plots without the knowledge of the council but said they were still contemplating the way forward.

Mr. Simpamba explained that Mr. Mambwe had earlier told the team that he was given authority by agricultural officials to demarcate the land that was near the farmers training centre.

When District Agricultural Coordinator (DACO) Kennedy Mulenga was called in to explain, he denied the matter.

Council chairman, Mr. Malupanga said it was sad that the council failed to arrest the situation because the management failed to implement the decision made in the last full council meting where it was resolved that illegal structures be demolished.

Mr. Malupanga who said this had been going on since 2002, pointed out that although the decision to demolish the structures was not carried out accordingly, his council would sit to ensure that the decision was implemented.

‘’These are the results of failing to implement what you decide to do. Because of the delay to implement the decision, Mr. Mambwe took it that he was doing the right thing and went on unchecked,’’ he said.

Mr. Mambwe pleaded with the council officials not to have him locked up saying he had orphans to look after who would suffer if he was locked up.

When asked where he took the money he raised from the sale of the plots, Mr. Mambwe said some of it went towards the repair of the bridge that links Zambia compound to TAZARA compound while some of it was squandered.

And District Commissioner, Musonda Chunga, said it was unfortunate that some people took the law into their own hands even when they knew that the council was the custodian of the land in the township.

He said it was important that there was sanity in land distribution through the council.

Meanwhile, Serenje Central Constituency acting MMD chairman, Kennedy Kango said the party did not support in any way Mr. Mambwe in his illegal deeds.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Who doesent know that MMD are a product of corruption? Think Big Zambians. These people formulate polocies which have no human dignity. Full of greed. Zambian politics are outdated thats why most of the politicians use corruption to by support from people. When are the Zambians going to learn that they are the bosses of the people they put into power. Its not a suprise that the case involving Mwanawasa’s daughter about illigal aquiring of land has died an artificial death.Alas Zambians think BIG

  2. There we go again ward chairmen and branch chairmen are the “official” country and town planners in this country of course, designing slums and shanties. Or squezing ugly building in empty spaces such railway reserves and parks. Tuntembas and containers on every turn or wall fence. Anyone can give any land and build anything in the name of the ruling party. No roads, no drainage, no piped water and sewarage, no order. Come 2030 I wonder what our towns/getthos will look like.

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