MINISTER of Local Government and Housing Brian Chituwo says it is unacceptable for Lusaka councillors to allocate themselves over 80 plots at the Lilayi Housing Development project.
Dr Chituwo has since directed the Lusaka town clerk to avail his office with minutes of the meeting where this decision was made. Lusaka City Council is dominated by Patriotic Front (PF) councillors.
“I was actually shocked when I heard about this matter. It is totally unacceptable for the councillors to allocate themselves those plots,” he said.
Dr Chituwo has also directed the town clerk to give him the justification for such allocations.
“That is selfish behaviour for civic leaders. For now, I take it as a rumour until we confirm this,” he said.
He said once it is confirmed that these plots have been given out, his ministry will ensure that it corrects the matter.
Dr Chituwo said the procedure that needs to be followed is for councils to advertise for land and applicants are supposed to attend interviews before selections are done.
“What criteria did they use to allocate themselves this land? Even if they say they applied, it is not possible that they were more successful than other members of the public,” he said.
[pullquote]“What criteria did they use to allocate themselves this land? Even if they say they applied, it is not possible that they were more successful than other members of the public,” he said.[/pullquote]
Dr Chituwo said everybody, including civic leaders, should be treated equally.
And the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) has called on the Ministries of Lands and Local Government and Housing to investigate the reports of councillors allocating themselves plots.
ZLA executive director Henry Machina said it is unacceptable for the councillors to give themselves over 80 plots and leave a few for members of the public.
He said the Ministry of Lands should intervene in this matter and ensure that the plots are advertised so that members of the public can have access to the land in question.
“This is a very unfortunate situation which should not be allowed to continue as this will perpetuate the marginalisation of the poor and other citizens who are not privy to the activities of authorities charged with the responsibility of land allocation,” he said.
He said it is important to have a well articulated land policy to act as a guide to ensure efficient and transparent land administration.
Mr Machina said lack of effective mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in most local authorities can cause problems.
He said the lack of adequate supervisory and monitoring support to agents of the Ministry of Lands—local authorities and traditional leaders, compounds the situation.
Mr Machina has called on the Ministry of Lands to put in place a comprehensive land policy to guide land administration in Zambia.
He urged the Commissioner of Lands to reverse the unjust land allocations.
[Zambia Daily mail]
Lsk City Council is no longer an agent of Min of lands, how then did they allocate plots in lilayi which is state land almost if not out of their area of jurisdiction. PF PF is this what residents of Lusaka voted for?? Shame indeed. Please Hon. Chituwo Suspend this council without any delay. its a total shame!!!!!
“Ubomba mwibala alya mwibala” is the philosophy these guys used.I can`t blame them much anyway.It takes a lot of displane for one to refrain from such temptations.If you have many with brains the size of FJT then you expect such.
Even MPs joined in this looting. Given Lubinda has given two plots to his girlfriend.Check the records
Mwisho Chituwo cfrack the whip. These PF councillors and LCC officials are criminals. Those plots they allocated themselves will not be developed but will be sold 500% to unsuspecting customers as the area they are located is prime. That is broadday robbery. What will happen if PF were to take over govt after elections? They would share every corner of Zambia among themselves. What a shame. What has the PF leadership to say now the facts have been laid bear.
yazanda ba pompwe mushibila nsala ba swine BA LCC
ba swine don’t put pf in this shit
This usually happens as elections fever grip. It is usually related to uncertainty about a particular party’s ability to get into or retain power.
#6, so who do you think allocates these plots? Councillors of course and this happens to be PF councillors, are you shell shocked? Well that is PF for you, the councillors seem to have learnt their lessons from their leader’s rich past very well.
Hon Chituwo, don’t be too academic and wait for reports, suspend all the allocations first and investigate later. Oh and by the way, don’t forget to prosecute after you have read the reports.
This is all knee jerk reaction from the government.This rot is everywhere. Why can’t the Brig Gen do an analysis in all major towns for a start. The country will then see how the big fish even in MMD are looting this country.
On a serious note, where are we heading to? The opposition point an accusing finger at the ruling party, but in the same breath they do exactly the same? So the change that we hear about is just change of beneficiaries, not to improve the way of doing things for benefit of all Zambians? Anyway, I should not ask, we know these things and we can read through the lies of some opposition leaders.
Those who want to get into power should be exemplary in behaviour and conduct. It is the most important single element that voters look for. There is no rigging at all ba shikulu ba Sata, pure integrity and exemplary behaviour is what you need to get you there. I suggest that Mr Sata suspends those councillors, on this one I will forgive him for unilateral, dictatorial action.
Am I the only one surprised that this is raising concern. Did we honestly expect the Mayor and his Counsellors and Council staff to work for free??????????? I think they have just paid themselves for job well done. Don’t sit there and tell me I’m mad, because you voted those Counsellors into office. I would probably do the same if I was voted into office by i.d.i.o.t.s. Well done to the Mayor and his team. It only shows good iniative skills on their part.
ONCE A BEMBA ALWAYS A THIEF. BEMBA WERE HISTORICALLY PLUNDERERS. THEY WOULD NOT GROW ANYTHING & WOULD WAIT FOR SURROUNDING TRIBES (MAMBWE, LUNGU ETC) TO HARVEST & THEN RAID THEIR FOOD STORAGE AREAS. NOTHING HAS CHANGED TODAY.
Ba Chituwo you amaze me, are you so out of touch with what is happening right under your nose? The other day it was Hon. Minister vs Mayor over street lighting (extended business hours), now it is plots, are you sure as a ministry you have no idea what decisions are made by the council? This rot extends to a number of councils across the country. Fold your trousers and shirt and get to work on the ground, you will see what is really happening, even if you are blind folded.
Ba Chituwo you have a thing for being aloof, while at Min of Health, a lot of rot went on and you had no idea still. Get your management style right.
#11 S’lu, what have the bembas done to you iwe chikala cobe. Stop being tribalistic shetani? Given Lubinda is a councillor in LCC. Tell me is he bemba or what? This is PF rot not bemba. We, the bembas are not tribalistic unlike some of you shameless, stupid, seccessionists.
corrupt hynas disgust me.
Its a normal thing to do. Even Ministers benefit from the deals they clinch eg Dora and Zamtel. Leave the councillors alone.
its all these bembas stealing again,bembas are thieves and will neva rule zambia
UNTIL A SHORT WHILE AGO, I USED TO THINK SAKALA WAS A BEMBA NAME!! LONG AGO THE BEMBAS WHEN CAUGHT STEALING, THEY USED TO SAY “NATOLA FYE”. NOWADAYS “UBOMBA MUBALA ALYA MWIBALA” IS THEIR NEW THEFT EXCUSE.
I think S’lu #12 and #19 is Sity Mwitu, this guy is so constipated with Bembas, he should quickly take laxatives before he bursts.
arrest all these chaps and repossess the land..PF councillors should be honest..dissolve the council till elections Chituwo..