Thursday, March 28, 2024

Inonge Wina Warns Mopani against demolishing private properties purported to have been built on its land

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Vice President Inonge Wina has warned Mopani Copper Mine against demolishing private properties purported to have been built on its land.

Mrs Wina said Mopani Copper Mine has no right to demolish people’s structures because the company is on the verge of winding its operations in Kitwe as it is in talks with government on modalities to relinquish its mine ownership.

Speaking in Kitwe yesterday when she addressed flood victims and members of Luyando Community whose houses were demolished by Mopani copper mine in Mindolo north in June this year, Mrs Wina said such inhuman activities by Mopani should come to an end.

“We cannot continue having man-made disasters which bring burdens on government and the affected people, we need to bring sanity in this country,” the Vice President charged.

Mrs Wina further noted that some more families had their houses demolished by Mopani last week in Kitwe West, a situation she described as unacceptable.

She has since warned senior police officers who issue these demolition orders to first consult before issuing such orders.

She noted that some disaster victims lodged at Hellen Kaunda secondary school grounds had their house demolished as early as 04:00hours in the middle of the cold season and at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic which she said was unacceptable and a violation of human rights.

Mrs Wina has also directed the police in Kitwe to arrest people that are collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public promising them land which they do not have.

She noted that some people have been duped of their hard earned money through these unscrupulous businessmen who purport to own land.

A beneficiary with a bicycle waits to receive the land title from the Vice President Inonge Wina during the handover cement, iron sheets and blocks to the flood and displaced victims in Mufuchani-Kitwe
A beneficiary with a bicycle waits to receive the land title from the Vice President Inonge Wina during the handover cement, iron sheets and blocks to the flood and displaced victims in Mufuchani-Kitwe

And the Vice President said the 499 victims that have been allocated plots at Kafue Park, will be provided with building materials for them to put up strong structures that will withstand the climate change related disasters in future.

She also assured them that her office will continue with the feeding programme until they are able to stand on their own.

And speaking earlier, Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe thanked the Vice President for the support that was rendered to the victims through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) from the time they were lodged at Hellen Kaunda grounds.

And Chishimba Mwaba, a representative of the victims also thanked the Vice president for the support given to the victims.

Ms Mwaba said some of them have suffered with floods for many years and never received any help.

She said it was gratifying that the Patriotic Front Government has now come to their aid.

Vice president Inonge Wina is on a three day working visit on the Copperbelt where she is distributing food and launching the handover of residential plots to flood victims and members of the Luyando community whose houses were demolished by Mopani Copper Mines in Mindolo North in June this year.

Ms Wina is this afternoon scheduled to hold meetings with various stakeholders.

A prepared land to be given to flood and displaced victims by Government in Kitwe
A prepared land to be given to flood and displaced victims by Government in Kitwe

13 COMMENTS

  1. This is really stupid from a stupid government. Who granted Mopani the mining rights in the first place? Is it not the same government thru ministry of mines?

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    • Mrs Wina has also directed the police in Kitwe to arrest people that are collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public
      Is she now the police commissioner?

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  2. The earliest mass demolition under PF was by Kitwe City Council and Guy Scott came to address the victims. Later Panji Kaunda as Deputy Minister came and he got several councilors and cadres arrested. Similarly, as long as cadres and councilors that allocate land illegally are shielded by the Party this problem shall continue. Mama Inonge’s anger should be directed at her officials who allocate land illegally and not Mopani. ZNBC land has also been encroached, the Presidential Lodge land is encroached and people are building after paying the PF officials and councilors. So don’t side with illegality. We’ve now come to know the PF as a Party of illegalities.

  3. I hsve been keenly following developments on this issue. There is need for dialogue and a proportionate approach to be taken. We hope both sides will use reason and that it won’t reach the point my personal battle over my farm land reached. Who ever is in the wrong should back down.

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  4. Firstly Mopani land is private property. Any person or entity who builds a structure on land belonging to Mopani Copper Mines breaks the law.
    Vice president is promoting illegality, this clearly shows her thinking is shallow whose actions are only about getting a vote.

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  5. Politicking cannot help you. Once a court order is passed not even the President can disregard it. Just enjoy your last few months as veep and leave politics to the young ones.

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  6. KOma media yathu niyatulo shuwa? Cant you see the story here? Mopani Mines is is on the verge of winding its operations in Kitwe as it is in talks with government on modalities to relinquish its mine ownership.
    Mopani is about to leave Zambia and you don’t give that a screaming headline?? Because you cant dig up more infor??? Koma Zedian journalism inafa.

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  7. Cohesiveness and logic is missing in Inonge Wina’s narratives. Is she aware she is a republican vice president? Refer to Dokowe above.

  8. I can’t comprehend what madam Veep is saying. That land in question is still mopani land. Awe sure if this is the way you solicit for votes…. Then politics are a simple game to play. I will definitely join.

  9. Tell people to stop encroaching private land.

    You PF cadres think you own all the land in Zambia.

    This old minister is talking rubbish. Busy encouraging rule of the jungle. That is why she has benefitted from the gazetted land. Don’t worry, that land will be grabbed back.

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