The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has said justified the demolition of what it described as illegal structures in Kabwata.
In a statement released to the media by Assistant Public Relations Manager, Ms Brenda Katongola, the council said that people People should be sensitized about acquisition of land or any property in Lusaka, adding that people should know that the Council is mandated by law to administer land on behalf of the Government and that as as a local authority, the council will not condone illegalities because they want want to maintain law and order in the city.
“People should be sensitized about acquisition of land or any property in Lusaka. They should know that the Council is mandated by law to administer land on behalf of the Government. As a local authority, we will not condone illegalities; we want to maintain law and order in the city,” Mr Mwansa said.
On Wednesday night LCC demolished over 30 illegal structures in Lilayi Shaft five (05) area. Among the structures that were demolished were 18 houses at window level, four at roof level, three long wall fences and several slabs and foundations.
The combined operation that started 20 minutes after midnight and lasted over one and a half hours was done in conjunction with the Zambia Police.
Lusaka Town Clerk Alex Mwansa advised people wishing to acquire land in Lusaka to go through the normal procedure by consulting through the Council.
Illegal development occurs when a developer under takes developments without planning permission from the Planning Authority. This may include development of a new structure or making changes to an existing structure or material change of use of the structure.
In some instances, the developer may be required to regularize the development or demolish the structure completely.
Before a structure is demolished an Enforcement Notice is served on the illegal developer as required under Section 31 of the Town and Country Planning Act (Cap 283) of the Laws of Zambia. The Enforcement Notice gives 28 days in which the remedy to the breach can be carried out failure to which the structure may be demolished.
“The Lusaka City Council is empowered to recover the cost of demolishing the structure from the illegal developer. The Lusaka City Council uses demolitions as one way of development control in the City like in the case of squatters, land invaders etc, ” concluded the statement.
Its okay! We need order in the councils! Anyplace where people begin to build without planning and authority must be demolished! No problem!
Yes it is okay , but not in a election year and not when the voting is next week. This is the inside job by UPND sympathizers in the council to punish PF, but it wont work.
Totally irresponsible if you ask me.
Agents of HH but still we are winning.
PF and Lubinda have just lost Kabwata constituency.
And the PF secretariat is now busy cleaning up corruption and theft allegations, they have no time to help Lubinda.
Sad! While it’s well within the law to demolish illegal structures! This will cost someone votes,,, and I won’t be surprised if someone makes a statement accusing watermelons for demolishing those structures,,, mwebantu a watermelon is just a fruit,,,, all zambians are encouraged to eat!!
LCC – Please extend these demolitions to the whole city – including Ibex Hill (Kalale area) just 1km from the new USA Embassy complex. Criminal elements have taken over Ibex Hill Kalale area and even illegally acquired land, already on title, and belonging to landlords. There is a court order to that effect to demolish those structures since 2008 but nothing has been done. The illegal structures are on land very near Salama Park – adjacent to the former Walkover Estates.
@ndobo, its so hot here and with your advice I bought watermelon ? so good. My waste basket is full of green. Tomorrow I buy 7, one for each day up to Armageddon day.
This is sad but necessary. People need to follow the rules and regulations, and thus prevent this unnecessary loss of investment.In fact, eventually, all the squatter compounds will have to be demolished and replaced with modern, well ordered structures. These squatter compounds are an eyesore and an embarrassment to foreign visitors. By nature of their construction, they promote crime, diseases and all kinds of vice. The ministry of land need to be more firm, and control the way people acquire land and build structures. Also root out corruption in the the local governments, and make it easy for people to acquire land. There are, evidently, some corrupt officials who give out land to friends to be sold at exorbitant prices. Create a website and lay out guidelines on how people can…
(Continued)… acquire land, including Zambians who live outside the country. Educate people by posting commercials on TV and radio on how to acquire land the proper way. Also encourage people to report any form of corruption, and if reported, investigate it vigorously and bring the culprits to book.
Just watch this space Lungu will back flip and give them the land back.
Nonsense, yet, when its cadres you do nothing?? also the council planners are so corrupt that when they see a prime land, they will not even give a go ahead for a person to buy?? as they want it for themselves. These issues have come because of the corruption at councils. The land belong to the people not the council or so called corrupt Governments. These are mistakes Lungu has made to give the council the right to get land from the People. IT just breeds corruption.
They are probably poor people who are now left out in the cold. It would be nice if councils built housing for these people before ejecting them from these illegal structures.
Just vote for Maureen Mwanawasa. Lusaka needs some style.
Agents of HH. still we will win. Hahahaha
@ Shooters
Dreams are free!
I have never felt so confident abou elections than this one. Im smelling victory already.
I am sure Sunday Chanda will blame HH as being the one behind the demolition exercise to make PF unpopular with a week to go before elections.
Man, this is a no brainer, if you have brains at all. How can the council be so insensitive. How would PF go about destroying people’s properties with a week of voting to go. This is clearly a scheme orchestrated by HH and his under 5 party to make PF unpopular in Kabwata. This can wait for a two weeks, why the rush, and why do it when people are about to vote. In fact this is a violation of electoral code of conduct. This is an action meant to disadvantage the ruling party. This needs to be investigated and somebody should be held accountable. How many illegal structures in are Lusaka, and why just pick this one in Lusaka, a week before election day
Chanda Bue, truly your argument is a no brainer. Who is in charge of the police, who accompaigned the council officials? Your suggestion borders on PF having lost control, which is not the case. Next time show some critical thinking in your debates. The biggest issue here is where are the councils when people start putting up these illegal structures upto roof level? Who builds on the land which a good proportion of Lusaka’s residents draw their water from, and puts pit latrine next to the borehole supplying the city? Are we here promoting cholera or what. PF should fire the council people for not working in the fist place.
WELL DONE LUSAKA CITY COUNCIL. OTHER COUNCILS SHOULD TAKE A LEAF FROM YOUR ACTION.
Carry on …but wait till after the elections so the corrupt Lubinda does not get political mileage out of this by stopping you!!
Hazalusa Hagain! Don’t worry! Is true that he wants to sell Zambia?
Sorry my friend, HH is already TOO LATE!
Lungs has already sold Zambia to the IMF for 7 billion dollars and got his 23 million Kwacha commission!
Talk to the new owner.Your children that will have to.pay.the.kaloba back!
Wake-up PF because the cartel and UPND have gone underground and want to win by all means. Does Lungu have advisers?
Its funny how most PF supporters talk for the sake of talking. No backing just ushering gibberish. We all agree those occupying land illegally have no basis or claims to that land. Agreed? What we are saying is PF could have used a better strategy and waited till after the elections if they had brains. The advantage now goes to the opposition because these people who have been kicked out by Mumbi Phiri and Given Lubinda will obviously give their vote to HH. Your own politicians once again making a mess just a few days shy of the elections. Yaba kikikikikikikikikikikiki!! No vision is what this is. Even a 5 year old can tell you the consequences of doing such a thing at such a time. When people lack leadership produces such results! You just buried yourselves.
LCC is not PF. You are now rumour-mongering…
Hmm, this HH is really powerful even though he is the opposition! ShopRite, he is there; demolitions in Kabwata, he is there; Dangote traffic accident, he was the lorry boy! Imwe shuwa!
Ka hh, becoz yo kabwata rally was a flopp u conive to get attention with yo out-going concillors. Mwanya u will still lose, big!!!;
More votes lost and what will happen to the *****s who gave this people illegal plots. Please vote UPND and illegal things will be history or will bury them together with the pangarian family (PF)
Edgar fire this brainless woman,they will cost your votes.
This exercise just like ritual murders and depreciation have the name of HH on it. HH will get two votes in Lusaka. Eastern Province don’t get distracted just give PF 100% turnout and 100% to PF. This election is about destroying the tribal instincts in HH. He will learn the hard way. It’s copy and paste all the way.
@designer chakuti is the most highest rit.ual master in the country. He knows it all. He is revealing secrets.
Where is chi kudos? How come the baggar is quite. With his techilema
Breaking news Kudos is dead he was hit by the car while coming from msisis compound going home to john lane. May his soul rest in external pieces.
MAY THE SOUL OF KUDOS REST IN PEACE.
Imwe don’t tell me that Kudos is dead,maybe he is just brock we are all feeling the incompetent of his uncle in state house. Please kudos where are you? MTN recharge number buy some bundles 4638429310603
Kudos is busy wiping Chagwa’s backside!! Leave him to concentrate on that SO DELICATE JOB!!
#Chagwamustfall!! #PamaFikuyabebele!!
I thank you!!
Observe GBM campaigning and then observe Inonge Wina. I mean the woman is a true lady and the man is scam true to the word. To think that scam is what HH offers us for a vice president, or even president in the event of……oh shiit….!!!!
Thank you City council. We need order in that country. People cannot just build in the middle of the road.
Civil sevants that are suppoters for demi god are busy subotaging. This is what we ha e been talking about. No matter what you try it wont work you shall see.
@Terrible! Indeed you are terrible even in your judgement. What a shame.
Bravo LCC. I wish other councils like Kitwe could emulate u! Law is law and must be followed at all times.
Sincerely speaking and with all honest this can’t be council following the law. Where were they when these people were digging foundations and later on build houses to roof levels. No matter how one wants to justify it this is a ploy to campaign the party in government.I am shocked that even people who have been to university want to play this kind of politics.If I were the minister of Local Government, i would demand a serious report especially on the timing. Waiting 10 days wouldn’t change anything. Or Why didn’t they demolish them last year or this year around April, why 6 days before elections?Nevertheless illegality, can not be supported but council needs to be professional and reasonable when responding to illegality because much of it is caused by them.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE OVER 50 STRUCTURES IN LILAYI CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN THE 256 MW ZESCO POWER PYLONS AND THE RAILWAY LINE?
Ayende chabe chakolwa! We want change! We will be voting them out every five years Ba fikala if they don’t do what they promise us. Even you HH if you will not perform. After five years you are gone. We are now entrusting you with the affairs of the state. Failure to perform like the chakolwa party. 2021 you will be out. For now it is your time.
Says who?
Don’t blame HH watch video on muv TV it is Pf blaming each other on this issue with there chief cadre Mumbi the erotic dancer of certain presido
Chanda Beu you don’t law and order in your brain. this is straight forward the word (illegal) simple
Chanda Beu you don’t have law and order in your brain. this is straight forward the word (illegal) simple
Bad timing, Why didn’t you act before?
The key word is illegal, therefore, nothing to justify. Just act. This business of seeing vacant land, getting out of your car, counting 50 wide steps accrose and 30 down and hammering become in must stop.
Reminder: Town and Country Planning Act was repealed. It is now called Urban and Regional Planning Act. Kudos Kudos to the Lusaka City Planning Authority. People should not involve themselves in illegalities even if it’s an election year. Keep up with the good work LCC!!
WE NEED LAW AND ORDER. TO THE CONTRARY, THIS WILL EARN ECL SOME VOTES FROM ALL THOSE OF US THAT WANT TO SEE SANITY IN OUR COUNTRY. WE CAN NOT HAVE A COUNTRY WHERE EVERY JIM & JACK DOES ANYTHING HE OR SHE WANTS. LETS HAVE LAW & ORDER. GOING FORWARD, MY SUGGESTION TO THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE TO NEGOTIATE WITH ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HUGE TRACKS OF LAND NEAR TOWN TO EITHER BUY THEM OFF OR GIVE THEN ALTERNATIVE LAND WHERE THEY CAN CONTINUE FARMING AND LEAVE THE TOWN AREAS FOR RESIDENTIAL PLOTS & OTHER DEVELOPMENTS. ON THE OTHER HAND, COUNCIL AND MINISTRY OF LANDS SHOULD CREATE A DATA BASE FOR ALL THOSE WHO OWN PLOTS AND DELIBERATELY BLOCK THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE FROM AMASSING MORE LAND. THIS BEHAVIOR OF SAME PEOPLE GETTING LAND IS REALLY AN FAIR. I KNOW SOMEONE IN CHALALA WHO HAS 12 PLOTS AND…
KEEP IT UP LUSAKA CITY COUNCIL. FOR ONCE MUMBI PHIRI SAID SOMETHING SENSIBLE. NEXT ON YOUR DEMOLITION LIST, PLEASE DEAL WITH THESE CADRES WHO HAVE BUILT BETWEEN ZESCO POWER LINES & THE RAILWAY. THERE IS A QUEUE OF HOUSES ALONG THE RAILWAY FROM LILAYI TO JOHN HAWARD