Minister of Local Government and Housing Stephen Kampyongo has announced the suspension of Kitwe, Ndola and Livingstone City Councils in order to pay pave way for investigations in illegal land allocations.
In a statement released to the media, the Minister said that his recent tour of selected Councils has reviewed rampant illegal land allocation perpetuated by some of the elected Councilors and Officers from the Councils.
The Minister further added that the act of illegal land allocation has resulted in members of the public losing confidence in the three local authorities, a situation that Government cannot allow to continue unabated.
Below is the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT BY HON. STEPHEN KAMPYONGO, MP, MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ON THE SUSPENSION OF KITWE, NDOLA AND LIVINGSTONE CITY COUNCILS
Members of the Press
My recent tour of selected Councils has reviewed rampant illegal land allocation perpetuated by some of the elected Councilors and Officers from the Councils. The act of illegal land allocation has resulted in members of the public loose confidence in selected local authorities, a situation that Government cannot allow to continue unabated.
Members of the Press
In-line with section 88 of the Local Government Act Cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia, I have decided to suspend the following Councils:
i. Livingstone City Council
ii. Ndola City Council, and
iii. Kitwe City Council
To pave way for investigations in illegal land allocations. The three cities were supposed to lead by example not only by conduct of Councilors and officers but in service delivery and adherence to laid down procedures on land allocation.
Further, I have appointed Mr. Chazya Musukuma a Public Officer to be the Local Government Administrator for Ndola and Kitwe City Councils and I have also appointed Charlston Hamulyata to be the Local Government Administrator for Livingstone City Council.
The appointment of the two Administrators is for an initial ninety (90) days and will discharge all the functions of the Council until such a time that the investigations instituted are concluded.
I will be signing the Statutory Instruments suspending the respective City Councils and appointing the Local Government Administrators of the said Councils. Accordingly the Statutory Instruments will be published in the Government Gazette.
The Patriotic Front Government will not tolerate any misconduct from either the councilors or Council officers in service delivery process. It is this type of illegality and abuse of office that has over the years led to the poor performance of Local Authorities. I want to urge all Councils; I mean all Councils and Council Officers without exception, that the PF Government will not lapse over the fight of illegal land allocation.
My Ministry’s reactions to such illegal practices and underperformance by officers shall be firm. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and so those involved in these illegalities must prepare themselves against this fight. There will be no sacred cows in the fight against any evil vices such as illegal land allocation, corruption, abuse of office, laziness or direct theft of council resources.
The suspension of Livingstone, Ndola, and Kitwe City Councils must serve as a lesson to all those Councils and Senior Officers involved in illegality and my timely advice to them is that the long-arm of the Law will eventually visit them, no matter how long it takes.
I want to encourage all the Councilors and Council Officers to comply with the provisions of the law in the running of the affairs of Councils. My Ministry will not condone any departure from the accepted norms, practices and procedures in the management of Local Authorities.
It has also come to my attention that Principal Officers leave their station without permission from the Controlling Officer at the expense of service provision, this must come to an end.
Let me take this opportunity to warn the Officers at the said Councils and other Councils that I will not condone any indiscipline of any kind. The conduct of any officer must be exemplary both at work and outside work as it has direct impact on the performance of Councils. I urge the Councilors and Officers in the affected Councils to cooperate with the Administrators appointed and the Investigative Wings of Government.
I thank you.
How can one administrator be appointed to run two councils, Ndola and Kitwe?
The first to be investigated should be the allocation of plots at Ndeke presidential. Some of us who attended the interviews were not given plots, whilst people who never applied and did not attend interviews are now building. One wonders what the ACC’s role was during the interviews. Do they do post investigations to see whether people who are given plots applied and later on attended interviews? A refund should be given for the application fee because the interviews where a sham.
#paybackapplicationfeeskcc
Establish a center where these investigations will be carried out so that we can come forward and give names of Surveyors and councilors involved in corrupt practices of allocating land in Kitwe. They have built mansions beyond what they can afford to build inspite of them holding very low positions at KCC. I hope the minister is serious about this one.
All those involved in illegal land allocation are PF appointed council administrators.
This land issue should be dealt with amicably by pubishing guidelins on how land is to be allocated and how people can apply for title deeds. Right now its murky affair where only politicians and their acomplices are benefiting. It become worse under PF of late as they try to buy votes.
During UPND reign we shall investigate all land grabbed by politicians under PF regime because no proper proceedures were followed.
If you have taken advantage of the poor by grabbing their using your power as a top PF politician just know we are watching your every move.
All councils are corrupt, suspend them all.
As councils in Zed generally don’t execute the efficiency in service provision that they did during the first two decades of independence, this extreme measure may not be a noticeable dip in service…
On a serious note though if one has to talk about illegality, how about dealing with Lands Ministry where even free forms command K1000 fees from the dubious agents working hand in hand with the powers that sign…
Three councils in one go. PF you are not efficient enough to handle this one without confusing things but good on you for trying. The length and breadth of Zed corruption is rampant. Not sure this is the right fix but maybe it is just me doubting you.
Are you guys okay? Seems you are suddenly pulling your socks up!
who are you asking. Go ask the minister. don’t you know where his office is? shaaa
A minister that is actually doing his work without consulting the president or insulting all of us. I am confused and shocked. Wait until Kambwili gets wind that his thugs in councils cannot selloff land to the highest bidder. Great job mister minister.
What bout solwezi ba kampyongo?these grade sevens are full of crap in their good for nothing skulls.the way they treat people,especially those from other regions leaves much to be desired.they’re corrupt to the core.
uh this name sounds fun monga ni spear part yachigayo at kapyongo.
Ati monga ni spare part yachigayo! Very funny indeed… I sure will sleep with a smirk on my face, Lol
uh this name sounds fun monga ni spare part yachigayo at kapyongo.
The Director -Legal Services, Mrs Kaela, has been selling plots for Ndeke Presidential in Kitwe and has delayed letters of offer to most of the successful applicants who have even paid for the plots for over one year.How can she be selling plots or letters of offer when the rightful owners of the letters of offer have not been cleared yet.You can imagine I was even harassed by her secretaries/receptionists for demanding that I be given my letter of offer which has been long over due to the extent of taking me to the police station for insisting that I see her in person.Please ACC in investigating these criminals do not spare Mrs. Kaela over the Ndelke Presidential and Chamboli plots.
Mrs Kaela,director legal is one of the culprits.she has been selling offer letters for ndek presidential and chamboli plots at the expense of deserving citizens.
These councils have been corrupt for a long time. During Chiluba’s time the Ndola council sold off land reserved for parks and noone did anything. In Lusaka Nawakwi acquired 5 houses way beyond her salary in 8 months!
Kwena chachine. What happened for Ndola council to offer Parks for plots?
This is the pf we know. Very good minister I support you in this one.
@wanzelu how could Upnd have dealt with Livingstone knowing that the councillors are your tribes mate ? Kikikikikik
@HH Techilema: Kikikiki! Funny Child. N0sense. Weemwana dont you know that L/stone MP is a PF member -Lawrebce Evans? At 03hrs you cant think properly! Think! Dont comment with fixed opinion. Funny child!
Too little too late
The issue of land is very sensitive. Look where Israel & Palestine are today, it’s because of the issue of land.
Hon Kampyongo, good move, please flush these scoundrels out.
But it is not practical for one administrator to run both Ndola and Kitwe councils. They are too large for one man, and even geographically they are many kilometers apart.
If you do not have enough capable and incorruptible men, I offer my services, for free. When I am done with my assignment that particular city that I will be allocated will have been scrubbed of scabbies squeaky clean.
mmmmm
The minister is walking the talk. Kambwili thinks he is hard working but he just talks and never walked the talk. Look at thing he promised to accomplish 1. Dora must apologies before she can join PF, Dora is full Mine did she apologies? 2. I will enact information bill has it been done? Kaya. 3. I will close ZWD it now 10 months ZWD is live and kicking 4. LCM employees must go back for work it is over 4 months now 5. Mopani and Chibuluma Mines it is the same story please bloggers help complete the list
The minister is walking the talk. Kambwili thinks he is hard working but he just talks and never walked the talk. Look at thing he promised to accomplish 1. Dora must apologies before she can join PF, Dora is full Minister did she apologies? 2. I will enact information bill has it been done? Kaya. 3. I will close ZWD it now 10 months ZWD is live and kicking 4. LCM employees must go back for work it is over 4 months now 5. Mopani and Chibuluma Mines it is the same story please bloggers help complete the list
Good move but bad timing politically as these councils are PF strongholds my dear. Remember that after 90 days of these suspensions ni ma elections. Kambwili and ECL will intervene just wait.
Disolution of councils Dissolution of Parliament
16th Jan to 18 Feb 30 days 11th May to 11th June 30 days
18th Feb to 19th March 30 days 12th June to 11th July 30 days
19th Mar to 20th April 30 days 12 July to 11th Augyst 30 days
Total 90 days 90 days
Disolution of councils
16th Jan to 18 Feb 30 days
18th Feb to 19th March 30 days
19th Mar to 20th April 30 days
Dissolution of Parliament
11th May to 11th June 30 days
12th June to 11th July 30 days
12 July to 11th Augyst 30 days
This issue started way before pf got in power.This is more of an ethical issue. Councils operate with people who have no ethics of any sort. Kapyomp is late to the party. I hope this is not political hhoodwinking
This is a positive move but it should not end with investigations. And also problem illegal land repossession
Kampyongo is just saving face after the Mufuchani embarrassment. Suspending councils doesn’t solve illegal land allocation issues. What’s going to happen after 90 days. What about principal officers who have remained in offices? This is why we talk of devolving power to make these councils accountable to the people & not a minister. How has Lusaka survived the purge?
Am still waiting for my plot I paid for in 2010 Kawama the so called East of Ganerton. Will take the Kitwe city council to Court over this matter. They sold us plots in an area they knew there are squatters there.
It’s good for citizen morale. More visible evidence of Justice at work required.
The minister should suspend himself also.The all issue of land has become a political song contrary to provisions in the constitution.The mayor,town Clark and other top officials sell land to themselves and after that they start ‘re selling to individuals.I know of a case where this mayor got money from my friends and never gave them plots,so apart from illegal selling of plots,they should be investigated for defrauding innocent citizens of their hard earned money.
This is a good start. The government needs to come with clear guidelines of land allocation, which every Zambian should know about. That way, if we see anything contrary to what is stipulated in the guidelines happening, we know something corrupt is going on, and report the corrupt incident. When the corrupt culprit is investigated, arrested and convicted, make sure they go to prison for a long time, a minimum of 10 years. Stiff prison penalties are effective tools for fighting corruption. It’s a shame that average Zambians cannot afford to buy land in their own country, because of corruption. Please get serious and lock up these crooks.