Government has refuted reports that it is planning to demolish all unplanned structures in Solwezi because it lost the Solwezi central parliamentary by elections. .
Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Moses Muteteka says the demolition exercise is not a political matter as it is meant to bring development to the area through proper planning of structures and infrastructures.
Mr. Muteteka told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that the demolition of most structures is part of the on going re-planning exercise aimed at improving the standards of infrastructure in most parts of the country.
He added that the exercise also follows a Presidential directive that there is need to re plan Solwezi in a bid to bring about order and sanity to attract more investment in the area.
Mr. Muteteka further clarified that not all structures will be destroyed adding only those that have been built on illegal land or not properly planned will be demolished.
Meanwhile Mr. Muteteka has assured that all the affected people will be compensated with alternative land and finances.
He stated that government will also demarcate some plots and advise people to acquire title deeds before embarking on any constructions.
He pointed out that government is also planning to engage experts and ensure that the interests of the people are taken in to consideration before the demolition exercise is done.
The Deputy Minister has further appealed to Solwezi residents not to panic and live in fear, adding that the exercise will be under taken in an orderly manner.
Mr. Muteteka was responding to claims by the Anti Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) that a number of residents in Solwezi central have been given notices for demolition of all unplanned and illegal structures by the municipal council in the area.
ZANIS
This is the most stupid story I have ever heard about.
I think it is a good idea. I just hope it can be properly implemented. The beautifull cities of the world are not there by accident
There is plenty land in solwezi , if indeed gonernment wants to improve and modernise solwezi they can just build a new town with modern stractures leaving the old stractures to operate as second class, other wise we assume its because they lost .SHAME
‘Kenny Cool Trading’ is not going to let that happen!
People this sounds nice to intellectuals , but I can assure you this demolition story is going to cause fear when it spreads among the illiterates people across the country who happen to be the majority. News will be like if you don’t vote MMD, they will demolish your house.
I think this is VJ’s rigging machinery set in motion by the strategic meeting VJ chaired after Solwezi loss. Why don’t they start demolition of illegal structures in MMD strong hold first like Chitambo. All you bootlickers don’t tell me MMD strongholds have no illegal structures. There are plenty infact. This move is aimed at causing fear in the electorates minds and should be opposed. Solwezi people are being punished for voting the PACT.
#3 ur very right ,it will even be cheaper for govt to just find a new area and build a “first class” trading area there.that way they only spend on building and save demolition costs and refund costs.very shallow minded chaps in govt.Do these quacks even read our postings?how I wish they did,they would have learnt a thing or two.
“He added that the exercise also follows a Presidential directive that there is need to re plan Solwezi in a bid to bring about order and sanity to attract more investment in the area.” So RB Nyamasoya is the town Planner for Solwezi now!!!! so If RB had not given the directive, the demolishing of buildings would not take place!!!!
Only in the the US such things happen, they can bring down a dilapilated town an build another one one within 6 months. Pa Zed bufi ubepele …
#6, I know of several Ministers who read our postings. Keep bloging, they are reading!!
#5 True PF cadre i fully endorse the first paragraph of your posting.
I also tend to side with #3 – to biuld elsewhere properly might turn out cheaper than to demolish & rebiuld.
MMD better order land clearing equipment coz they are in for a rude shock….
Why not start with Lusaka? The structures in Lusaka are an eye sore!
But bakwindi aba why demolish and companset the people affected ,then where are they going to get money to build new structures, or who is going to build a new structure among old fashoned bildings. The issue at hand is just like #5 has put it chapwa livengi hehehehe
#7 Okocha- Of course everything in Zambia evolves around RB, the rest have to act according to their master’s voice like puppets on a string.
“Government dispels demolition claims” but they are still going ahead to demolish the unplanned buildings.
So what is young Moses Muteteka saying?
Why do councils allow illegal structures in their areas in the first place? If it was for me, heads would roll first before any corrective action is taken but unfortunately for zed, mediocrity is not only allowed, it is even compesated for.
its okay pipo of Solwezi, the darkest hour comes before dawn. just suffer for a bit . come 2011 we are taking over and we will thank you for being part of the revolution. You were the front runners in plotting the death of MMD, we will always be indebted to you, To show our gratitude we will win the elections in 2011 and you will be among the first to be visited by our president and the prime minister. The PACT is on the way
They should start with an overhaul of the Solwezi municipal council. Those chaps there are so corrupt and they just allocate land indiscriminately to anyone that’s got cash. Unfortunately, none of all those people even have title deeds. ..
“WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama turns his attention on Thursday from Afghanistan to the battle against unemployment.” While Rupiah Banda in Zambia turns his attention from Kalabo visit (unclear) to Ndola visit ( celebrations).
Demolition of illegal structures must apply to all towns in Zambia to enable proper re-planning of towns. Demarcate the towns and give them postal areas and strictly define the standards of structure to be put up in those areas. Zambia is a big country. But, looking at some of the plots the councils give to residents, one would think that there’s a shortage of land in Zambia. Consider for instance the Kaunda Square stages one and two residential ares. They are too small diseases like cholera can spread so fast. Especially, Kaunda Square Stage 1. Our town planner are all i.d.i.o.t.s- how can plan a town in that manner. And please demolish that health hazard in the name of Simosons in Lusaka at Soweto Market.
I dont think demolition pipo structure is what will attract investment to Solwezi this is just a lie. Solwezi has enough land let the govt build a mordern town and that will attract investors.
# 15 Kwandangala ..I think what young Moses Muteteka is saying is that the planned demolition of illegal structures in Solwezi , is not retribution for not voting MMD in the recent bye election. The reporters wording of the article at the beginning can cause some confusion but if u read it thru , u will get it .
Infact the MMD should have Moses as their chief govt spokesperson because , on the face of it , that is a good statement he has made. It makes a lot of sense and is in the spirit of ‘good governance’ ….Now , is there any sinister motive behind such a move? # 5 True PF has mentioned an interesting possibility in that to the so called ‘illiterates’ , who are in the majority , this can only mean one thing.. ; Retribution for not voting MMD . So, from that, one can…
(cont) assume that the people of Solwezi are being intimidated into voting for MMD in future elections.
So let’s see what happens. They’ve said it’s gonna be orderly, and there will be compensation , though as # 16 michealangel says they are compensating for something that is illegal. As a humanitarian gesture , compensation is fine.
And if this is’ ongoing re – planning’ then we expect this to happen countrywide. Which is very good news to me.
Also if it’s ongoing re- planning why did the president feel the need to issue the directive?
A strong property right system is essential for growth. It ensures to the investors that the land they are investing in will be protected by govt should there be a land dispute. Imagine a situation where there is a land dispute on one of these illegal pieces of land, surely the dispute cannot be handles in court due to the fact that the land is illegal in the first place. This will stunt growth as investors will be skeptical in the fear that they may acquire illegal land.
Henando De Soto rights about a strong property right system. If you want good strong structure coming up, think about the property right system as it ensures your investment in real estate is protected therefore putting more confidence in the system.
second paragraph, fourth word, should read “writes” instead of “rights”
BREAKING NEWS
‘The reckless extremism of Hichilema at it again’
…from 48 hours ultimatum of anarchy against Zambians to plans of a militia against Zambians
“Currently we need to deal with electoral reforms otherwise we have to build our own armies to protect our vote,” said Hichilema in today’s Zambian tabloid
COMMENT
Build their own armies????? So they have plans of transforming into tribal militia groups? This is a clear case of treason. Here are Sole losers who spend 5 years election cycle just insulting, threatening Zambians and hallucinating yet they expect to win elections where they have made no voter conversion. Here they are saying, otherwise its militia war against the citizenry?
If Mama Alice Lenshina of another sect –the Lumpa militia…
If Mama Alice Lenshina of another sect –the Lumpa militia where Sata comes from reigned on that route against Zambians and indeed lives today, HH’s Militia dream will live securing him to the higher heights. We the patriots of Zambia who pay our collective allegiance to the constitution and Zambian flag will instead stand with the people against the HH militia.
I am confused and maybe someone can correct me on this point, is the finance minister Mr Situmbeko Musokotwane not from Southern Province? The what is HH talking about here: “I hate talking about this because I have been a victim of tribal hegemony. Certain provinces like Southern Province have no Cabinet minister,” Hichilema said. “There is no single Cabinet minister from there (Southern Province) and you have five ministers and about 14 deputy ministers all from one region and in one place which is part of Zambia you choose not to have a Cabinet minister.” Well, maybe Livingstone id Barotseland that’s why Saki won there despite all the Tonga tribal bigotry torrent they unleashed against him! HH and Banda atr the same tribal baboons.
Solwezi town produces Millions of dollars for the country but looks like a bush. good idea I hope it will be implemented wisely and not corruptly
#28 The finance minister is a pure breed Lozi
#28 I think you are now corrected, it seems you close your eyes when people talk. This issue was raised immediately The President appointed his Cabinet. When asked by journalists he replied by appointing Bradford Machila later, creating two ministers in one ministry. This Machila is Kafue MP. As at present, it is the old Daniel Munkombwe who is a deputy minister! Therefore, HH has a right to complain. This problem can be solved by nominating one from that part.
VETERAN quote this one “Look at what he has done. How many Cabinet ministers are from one region? It’s now jobs for boys and girls, for the relatives, clansmen! This is Zambia, not Gwanda. I hate talking about this because I have been a victim of tribal hegemony. Certain provinces like Southern Province have no Cabinet minister,” Hichilema said. “There is no single Cabinet minister from there (Southern Province) and you have five ministers and about 14 deputy ministers all from one region and in one place which is part of Zambia you choose not to have a Cabinet minister.”
Finally, Veteran you are now like Ken Ngondo who has started reading The Post, keep it up! You have impressed me today. By the way, did you know that real Zambians do not read Daily Mail and Times of Zambia. I am also told people switch off ZNBCtv between 1850 and 1935 hours! Once more hats of to Mmembe’s Post, I have caught you, you read it like an exam paper. Stay reading!
I ask why werent those notices issued before the election. Its time for a revolution.
I don’t care whether it’s because MMD lost or not demolish the shanty structures. And councils can you please do your work. Why are people building structures that are not approved? it would have saved all this situation. We need to develop the country. Muteteka you are on the right track.
why cant GRZ find alternative land so around Kifubwa bridge and allow new town centre built some where there. Even demolishing old structures will not solve any problem. Lets do away with demolishing old structures to put up new ones. TGZ is on record of demolishing strutures and failing to put up new ones. Where are the resources going to come from to compasete the affected pipo. Already the road net work in Solwezi needs attention why create another problem. Let us be level headed when dealing with lives of pipo.
The whole country is like a village.
You have failed to rebuild Dag Hammerskojt and independence stadiums, why raze an entire town just to scratch your over-rated ego!
Why alllow them to build unplanned and unapproved structures in the first place?
Why should the Minister start with Solwezi when right under his nose the entire Capital City is in a mess. Go to Kamwala shopping place and see the type of structures our friends have put up and you realise that there is more to it than meets the eye.
Only God know whats going on in our beloved country. You start wondering if for sure the leaders we have went to school. I have heard some people on this blog mentioning Economists…..Did these guys study Economics or whatever degress they have? I m very confident even Zimbabwe will bounce back and surpass us again economically becuase the leaders(amidst confusions) are able to come up with plans,project how much they require etc. Today you may ask our Finance Minister how much we need to rebuild our nation he wont know because he doesnt even know which problems we have.
The title is mis leading when one reads the article…i thot the chap was denying kannshi he is actually saying its on plan? Yeah, i think this is long over due. Do it before its too late the rate of shabby construction going on there is alarming and irritating. How can the town hosting two very big copper mines in Africa keep such a face? Put a proper town plan near the royal slz hotel and you wont go wrong…let the current town and golf estate for those dull boers be second class…lol
Please lets not be sensational and over-dramatic about this issue. I for one have a relative who has been working as a town planner for Solwezi with the govt even before the late Tetamashimba died. This has been planned for a long-time. I dont see anything wrong with the govt razing down structures that have been built illegally.
MMD try to be friendly with Solwezi people punishing them will just worsen the setuation come 2011
I am a urporter or replanning out towns. Lets not smel conspiracy in every initiative
Peace maker, there is no punishing. This is what we want Govt to impove the status quo. And this will mean getting rid of old structures. This happens all over the world. Actually Sata was a proponet of this here in Zambia, thats how you have merzaf in Chilenje
Much as I question the timing of this move, Solwezi needs a very serious facelift. As matter of fact the Country and Urban Planning Dept – whatever it is called – should wake up from its slumber. Zambian towns are a disgrace. The so called cities such as Kitwe. Livingstone, etc are nothing to write home about. You cannot even compare them to small SA cities such as Polokwane or Bloemfontein.
#47 iam surprised at ur comparison, especially that u live in south africa.south africa was descriminately built for the white.majority of the people -black people live in squater camps that an ordinary zambian cannot believe.they are terrible.and all u see is the city.oh my.. zambia distributed the weath,hence the difference is small in how people live.SA is purely a case study of the worst form of governance on the face of the earth.read the books.demolishing is cheap politics.start a new town.provide services.solwezi is a typical zambian setup .create employment and people will be able to afford decent a life.moses unlike the name is not saving the people but destroying there little dream.kenny cool trading ,it is the life we have known.and ours is a dream achieved