The government has said that some settlers in Mpima in Kabwe rural in Central Province who encroached on the national forest will not be evicted following a Presidential directive to allow them to stay.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata has, however, urged game rangers in the forest to desist from harassing the settlers.
This was in reference to Chief Chamuka of Central province, who complained that some of his subjects are being harassed by game rangers.
And Ms. Kapata further said the government will continue to partner with communities in ensuring that the forests are well looked after.
Ms. Kapata was speaking during the official opening of the Fit-For Purpose Land Administration Conference in Lusaka today.
She said the conference has come at a time when the government is working towards securing land rights for its people through the National Land titling program.
Ms Kapata further explained that the National Land titling program will also help promote the security of tenure.
Meanwhile, Chief Chamuka has called for equal distribution of land between men and women.
The Chief further called on the government to empower traditional leaders and other stakeholders with skills in land administration.
Chief Chamuka also said Land Administration if well implemented has the potential to contribute positively to the social and economic development of the country.
Election period tricks we are used to cheated by PF government
Monkey see monkey do , if you can claim reserve forest 27 in Lusaka for yourselves , so call all Zambians claim other reserves
These forests were reserved to protect water bodies and watersheds on which these same villagers depend. I’m disappointed with the presidential decision.
I’m just wondering why the president stayed mute when soldiers evicted and destroyed property of settlers in Southern Province towards the end of last year. And the area where this happened is not even a reserved forest. Double standards? Or are people of Southern Province truly second class citizens? This is not the Zambia I grew up in.
Point of correction Mr Patriot Chief Chamuka is a Tonga if you don’t know so there is no segregation here all those people in that forest are Tongas so what happened in southern province i don’t know.
She has got many plots in the forest her in the picture .
Congrates honourable tutwa for securing land for your electrolates. Bravo to you
So nganibena ma vote yamu 2021, tapali fimbi. That is IF he will be eligible, kaya!
Sichalwe: Whn did Tongas hv chiefs in Central province? The forest reserve at issue is near Kabwe and Tongas hv no chief there.
Next the same moron Edgar will be ignorantly reading a speech about de-forestation …Forest 27 he was quiet I dont pray but I hope this moron is barred by the constitution and someone worthy takes over in PF
I would expect processes and laws to be applied (including recognition of the common law allowing people to remain on traditional historical land, if it applies) and people in relevant positions to handle these matters. What legal basis does ECL use when he issues ‘directives’? This has happened too often. Does he have infinite executive powers? I thought all the hitherto Constitutional changes over the past two decades were meant to ‘clip’ some of these so-called powers.
Ladies and gents, time to go back to our caves.
Go research chief Chamuka is Tonga those people staying there are Tongas go there and you will see.
This a good move your exellency, your pro people agenda should supported by all well meaningful Zambians, with conservation agricultural approach our environment is safe
Sichalwe: First of all u’re just relying on observation. Not bad but it can only take u so far in knowing the truth.Those Tongas live there now because Zambia exists, otherwise they moved from Southern province to settle there , as they hv to other parts of the country. Chief Chamuka is a Lenje chief and please don’t argue because he’s my chief.
Law is the law. If those people are not supposed to be there then they should be evicted. This is another case of how ECL abrogates the law to suit his whims.
Post-colonial govts in Zambia hv not bothered to find out why the colonial govt passed legislation to protect watersheds and forests. Whn a decision is made to degazette protected areas, ECL acts as if he’s God. He never applies his mind to which water bodies would be threatened by his decision.