WORKERS at the Salvation Army Centre in Kanyama Township in Lusaka yesterday battered two members of the community who are allegedly claiming to be legitimate owners of the centre.
The centre, which the Salvation Army Church built, has been embroiled in an ownership wrangle between church workers and a group calling itself the parents community school committee.
The committee, headed by Victor Mungambata, had claimed ownership of the premises after alleged failure by the church to run it.
The community school committee dragged the Salvation Army to the High Court.
High Court Judge, Phillip Musonda in his judgment ordered the Lusaka City Council to sub-divide the land and issue a separate title deed in the name of the community school to avoid future litigations.
Mr Justice Musonda said the structures were built on church land pursuant to the belief and agreement of the Salvation Army to provide education to orphans and vulnerable children.
He said the parents community school committee had proved their case on the balance of probability, adding that the school would remain a community school run by the elected parents committee.
The judgment compelled Mr Mungambata to obtain an eviction notice from the High Court which saw the removal of the church workers from the community school.
Mr Mungambata and his committee members, Jean Tobolo were, however, beaten by the incensed workers yesterday after the two tried to enter the premises.
The two, in the presence of three police officers, went to check if the workers had been moved from the premises but this forced the employees to descend on them.
Workers representative, Slight Chilala, said his group did not see reasons why bailiffs should evict them when the High Court had ruled that the land be sub-divided.
“We were not expecting the bailiff but the Lusaka City Council to come and effect the sub-division of the land because what they have done is against the court’s judgment,” Mr Chilala said.
He said the church had lost about K7.7 million and most of the school and household goods had been damaged.
Another worker, Watson Mweemba, said Mr Mungambata had no legal right to claim ownership of the land because he was not part of the community and the church was offering the necessary education needed to the community.
Mr Mweemba said the council should quickly deal with matter before people lost their lives and properties.
[Times of Zambia]
Yangu tata ………
Is it for economic benefit or service?
That’s what happens when you want to give to Ceasar what belongs to God.
has nayone noticed that the names are southern? is it fair to say churches are also regional?
It’s all about earning a living.
It was right to hammer the baga. Why is he trying to behave like a bully?