Traditional Leaders have denied cashing in on Customary Land which has prompted government to ban the sale of such land.
Speaking to QFM News in separate interviews, Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni-speaking people in Eastern Province says Traditional leaders have received the news of the ban on the sale of customary land with reservations.
Chief Madzimawe explains that Traditional Leaders do not sale Land because the current Land Act of 1995 Section four (c) states that whenever an individual or agent is trying to convert Land the Head of State gives Authority.
He says Traditional Leaders give Land and when converting to customary Land to lease-hood tenure. A Traditional leader is allowed to give concert by Law which is taken to Local Authorities who process the documents and finally Ministry of Lands for approval.
Chief Madzimawe has since urged senior government officials to desist from generalizing statements, but should be specific because not all Chiefs are corrupt.
And Chief Li-te-ta of the Lenje speaking people in Chibombo district has said that government over-reacted in coming up with a final position on ban of the sale of customary land without consulting Traditional leaders.
Chief Liteta has since challenged Lands Minister Harry Kalaba to produce evidence of traditional leaders involved in the sale of customary land.
They are selling land everyday. Especially tu ma headmen. Check those near Lusaka especially 10 miles, 15 miles and generally Katuba area. The solution is to give title deeds to the current locals occupying the land. Headmen are grabbing land from them and selling it.
In Solwezi, there is scramble for land and the chiefs are cashing on this. It all for every one to see.
In Chiaba lower Zambezi the whole water front has been sold and fenced off leaving pooor indigenous villagers languishing.The move has come to late.
Mandzimawe,do not think u are a giant. Almost all chiefdoms are cashing in.kaliteta big culprite.I HATE CHIEFS,THESE DESCENDANTS OF SLAVE TRADERS. What the govt has done is great.
its true Chiefs sale customary land. Go to Chief Chipepo in Kabwe/ Kapiri mposhi. The lenjes have no say on their land. the whole of ngabwe area has been sold before obtaining the consenting letter from the headman & chief. however, the question remains on what criteria will be used to allocate these pieces of land.
government should bring to book the culprits instead of making a blanket ruling which will just retard process.