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Defending champions Nkana began their FAZ Super Division title defence on Saturday in the worst possible way following an away defeat at Forest Rangers.
Nkana lost 2-0 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola to the side they beat to the league title last season on goal difference.
Adams Zikiru opened scores in the 4th minute while Webster Muzaza cemented the 3 points in the 28th minute.
Nkana have now suffered four straight league defeats at the hands of Forest, plus a draw prior to that, and trace their last win over the latter to June 2018 when they won 2-1 away in Ndola.
The defeat came a week after Nkana beat Indeni 2-0 in the 2020/2021 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield final in Kitwe.
Forest, though, will have to settle for joint second with Zanaco who also won by the same margin at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka over visiting promoted side Indeni.
Captain and striker Rogers Kola converted a 45th minute penalty and Moses Phiri sealed the win in the 65th minute to hand former Zanaco assistant coach Dabid Chilufya a losing league start.
Forest and Zanaco are beaten to top place by Prisons Leopards who flagged off the season on Friday with a resounding 3-0 away win over fellow promoted side Kitwe United at Garden Park in Kitwe.
Green Eagles are third following a 1-0 away victory over Kabwe Warriors courtesy of an Anos Tembo goal in the 4th minute.
Meanwhile, former champions Zesco United kickoff their quest to reclaim the crown they lost to Nkana on Sunday with an away date at Napsa Stars at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
Power Dynamos will be home at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe where they will host debutants Young Green Eagles.
2020/2021 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 1
31/10/2020
Kabwe Warriors-Green Eagles
Green Buffaloes-Red Arrows
Zanaco-Indeni
Lumwana Radiants-Nkwazi
13h00: Buildcon-Lusaka Dynamos
15h00:Forest Rangers-Nkana
01/11/2020
Napsa Stars-Zesco United
13h00:Power Dynamos-Young Green Eagles
Zambia Police have arrested and charged Ministry of Finance Public Relations officer, Chileshe Kandeta aged 50 of Kabulonga and Lazarous Mwelwa aged 46 of Chamba Valley, a Budget Analyst at Ministry of Finance for the offence of Communication of Certain Information contrary to section Four chapter 111 of the State Security Act.
This is in relation to the leaking of the 2021 National Budget Speech which went viral before it was officially presented in Parliament.
They are detained in Police custody awaiting a court appearance.
Last week, Zambia Police summoned Diamond TV Chief Executive Officer, Costa Mwansa and Head of News and Current Affairs, George Chomba to appear before them at force headquarters in connection with investigations police were conducting in relation to who is alleged to be a leaked speech of the 2021 budget.
Mr. Mwansa and Mr. Chomba were questioned by police to find out how the Television station came into possession of the speech hours before it was presented to parliament.
The duo had their personal cell phones confiscated including a company laptop used for editorial purposes. It is believed that police intend to arrest the two if they do not reveal the source of the document from the Ministry of Finance.
Traditionally, the Ministry of Finance gives media personnel embargoed copies of National Budget for expert analysis. This is before the Finance Minister delivers the budget speech to members of Parliament.
This year, Finance Minister Dr Bwalya Ng’andu delivered his budget speech on 25th September, 2020.
MISA Zambia chapter condemned the act by police and described it as an affront to media freedoms in the country.
Zambia Police also questioned ZNBC staff and some officials from the Ministry of Finance over the leaked 2021 budget speech.
A budget speech is a confidential document until it is presented in Parliament by the Minister of Finance.
The defeat of Bill 10 in Parliament last Thursday revealed the true characters of some of our rulers in the Patriotic Front and its government.
We heard all sorts of words, justifications, consolations and sayings in reactions to the Bill 10 defeat.
It’s very clear that anyone can deal with victory and only the mighty can bear defeat. It’s very clear that our colleagues in the Patriotic Front are opportunists, chancers who have not struggled much or have struggled very little in their lives.
We who have struggled for many years from very disadvantaged positions and have suffered many setbacks know very well that when defeat comes, it should be accepted as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.
The truth is, unless you realise that the situation is over, you cannot move forward. Any time you feel so pained by defeat, it is only because you insist on clinging to what doesn’t work.
There’s no need for our colleagues in the Patriotic Front to be so bitter about the Bill 10 defeat. Defeat isn’t bitter if you don’t swallow it – it’s only bitter if you swallow it. And it seems they have swallowed the Bill 10 defeat. That’s why they are endlessly and invariably spewing bitter words about Bill 10 defeat.
Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa and Kitwe Mayor, Christopher Kang’ombe have been cleared by the adhoc committees investigating the two councils they represent.
They have since been directed by the Ministry of Local Government to report back for work on Monday 2nd November 2020.
This follows the Minister of Local Government’s decision to lift the suspension of Kitwe and Lusaka Councils yesterday.
However, land agency for the two councils remains withheld until further notice.
In addition, some unnamed ward councilors from both Lusaka and Kitwe councils have been found wanting by the adhoc Committee
And Local Government Minister Charles Banda has with immediate effect lifted the 90 days suspension on Lusaka and Kitwe City Councils.
Dr. banda said that effective November 1st 2020, all suspended council officials are expected to resume work, adding that investigations have revealed that a number of Senior council officials, Middle Management and Civic leaders were indeed allocating land illegally.
Speaking during a joint press briefing with Lands Minister jean Kapata, Dr. Banda further said once investigations are complete all those found wanting will be prosecuted.
And Ms Kapata said that under her Ministry the suspension of Lusaka and Kitwe Councils as agencies will continue until further notice and will not be allowed to handle land
allocations.
Republican Vice President Inonge Wina has reaffirmed that the fight against the invasion of African migratory red locusts in some parts of the country is under control.
Mrs Wina said government has put in place several strategies that will lead to the elimination of the vicious locusts.
She indicated that government is working closely with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) red locust commission to eliminate the locusts.
Republican Vice President made the remarks in parliament today during the Vice President’s Question time.
“Government has made strides to eliminate red locusts and we are working closely with key stakeholders in the region. We are working with SADC Red Locust Commission and the surrounding countries as you are aware that the locusts are not domiciled in one place but are mobile across the international boundaries,” she charged.
The Vice President was responding to a question from Mongu Central Member of parliament Mwilola Imakando who wanted to find out the progress made on red locusts eradication.
Mrs Wina who spoke passionately about government’s strides in halting the red locust annexation, added that the control of the insects is tedious as they are not domiciled in one place.
She stated that various governments from different countries have been engaged to jointly fight the devastating red locusts.
The Vice President further assured the nation that the situation is under control and progress is being made
Last month, an Inter-Ministerial delegation was in Mongu district, Western province to deal with invasion of the African migratory locusts which have invaded some parts of Western Province.
Minister of Agriculture, Michael Katambo led a delegation comprising of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).
The affected areas in Western Province include, Mwandi, Sesheke, Kalabo and Mongu districts.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) President Mr. Chishimba Kambwili has said that his recent incarceration had no effect on him, but gave him an opportunity, as someone aspiring for the highest office in the land, to get to know how people in jail are kept.
Speaking to the media at his woodlands Residence in Lusaka, Mr. Kambwili said even when he was in the Patriotic Front, under the leadership of the late Michael Chilufya Sata, he was jailed for 30 days, and for him, that amounts to nothing as it is simply political imprisonment.
Mr. Kambwili maintained that he went to prison without committing a crime, adding that he is as clean as Mr. Kenneth Kaunda’s handkerchief and wondered, while in prison, why he was sent there but had to adapt and adjust.
Mr. Kambwili accused magistrate David Simusamba of being personally unfair and malicious to him and called the behaviour of magistrate Simusamba as unbecoming.
‘I have evidence to show how malicious the magistrate was. There is a recording which will be presented to the court for proof in the other matter,’ Mr. Kambwili said.
Mr. Kambwili wondered why the magistrate issued a bench warrant on a person who had COVID-19.
‘At one time, I had COVID-19 which almost claimed my life. But the magistrate accused me of having faked COVID-19. COVID-19 is a government ‘program’ and records are kept by the government,’ he said.
Mr. Kambwili further accused the magistrate of making his office a money-making adventure, saying that he had refused to give the give him K360 000, adding that the Judicial Complaints Commission recommended that magistrate Simusamba be removed but the Commission refused to act.
Mr. Kambwili denied ever committing any crime and said that if reporting the magistrate to the authorities was a crime, then he was guilty as charged.
He said that at no time did he do whatever the magistrate said during the judgment. He maintained that Simusamba lied in his judgment to create an impression in the minds of the high court that he was a bad person.
He denied ever including a fictitious person in the company he formed and said there no crime he committed in involving his son in the company.
‘Simusamba is a danger to the Judiciary and must be removed from the judiciary for the good of the country,’ Mr. Kambwili stated.
‘Coincidentally, the K360,000 he demanded from me is the same amount (K300,000) he charged for bail application. And when I got the money to pay the bail, the magistrate was no were to be seen,’ he said.
He wondered why the magistrate wanted to punish him with the high amount which was difficult to find this time. ‘In the past, there was no one who was asked to pay cash bail pending appeal. So the unfairness with all this, especially the harsh bail conditions are all there for all to see,’ he said.
By Nalucha Nganga Ziba Country Director, ActionAid Zambia
With the advent of COVID-19 early this year, seeking debt relief was almost inevitable for Zambia as the country’s economy was already in malaise and public debt was not only unsustainable but also unredeemable. As of 2018 Zambia had breached all critical debt sustainability indicators while IMF had earmarked that Zambia is among the countries likely to default on its public debt obligations. Debt service suspension has been seen as a powerful, fast-acting measure that can bring real benefits to people in poor countries, particularly countries that do not have the financial resources to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 can only be considered as a blessing in disguise for Zambia.
For now, seeking for debt relief and debt restructuring seems to be the only way forward for Zambia. However, ActionAid Zambia is concerned that there is little to no transparency and accountability, not only in the debt reduction process but also in public debt management. For example, on 27 October 2020 the Ministry of Finance, via the Secretary of the Treasury, released a statement announcing the deferral of Zambia’s debt service by the Development Bank of China for six ( 6 ) months without explicitly specifying the amount involved and the conditions for deferral in terms of principal and interest payments.
We would like to encourage the government to adopt a spirit of transparency as it is one of the main principles of good and democratic governance in the management of public finances and, in particular, the process of debt restructuring.
Public debt restructuring may extend the loan period but may also increase the interest rates thereby increasing the costs and pushing the problem into the future. It is therefore, important for government to be as transparent as possible in all this debt restructuring process; that’s is the government must be able to disclose the creditor and the amount of debt involved both in principal and interest payments as well as the conditions of restructuring, especially with regard to the Chinese debts which have raised concerns from other creditors.
We would like to remind the government that the public debt related information is and must not be a preserve of the government and respective creditors but for all relevant stakeholders, including the citizens in whose name money is borrowed and the public debt restructuring negotiations are done.
Finally we wish to remind the government that the suspension of public debt repayment will only have a positive and significant impact on the economy and generally the lives of Zambian people if the debt repayment relief proceeds are used to finance critical public service provision as well as invested in key economic sectors which expediate Zambia’s economic recovery.
The Government has restated that it is committed to promoting and protecting women’s rights and curbing gender based violence (GBV) in the country.
Minister of Gender, Elizabeth Phiri, says the government is also working tirelessly to reduce gender inequality by making progressive changes to legislations that prioritize the advancement of women and strengthen capacity to influence decision-making.
ZANIS reports that Mrs Phiri said this in a speech read on her behalf by her Permanent Secretary, Sastone Silomba, during the Women’s Quadrennial Conference of Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ), in Chongwe today.
Mrs Phiri notes that the signing of the Regional and International Instruments by the government, demonstrates its commitment to increase women’s participation in all spheres of life.
“The implementation of the National Gender Policy also shows that the country is moving in the right direction towards achieving gender equality,” she added.
“We should appreciate that under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu, a considerable number of women have been appointed to head various key institutions of government,” said Mrs Phiri.
She highlighted that it is encouraging to note that the CSAWUZ Union is making efforts in ensuring that women take up positions of influence.
The Minister stated that government is concerned that discrimination against women still remains the most pervasive form of inequality.
“This is the reason why CSAWUZ plays a very important role in the warm industrial relations that exist between government and its workers,” Mrs Phiri stated.
And CSAWUZ President Davy Chiyobe said the salary increment for civil servants should be double digits unlike the four percent that was previously granted.
Mr Chiyobe explained that many civil servants are the breadwinners in their families hence the need for a reasonable salary to sustain them.
“The government still owes many civil servants outstanding allowances like settling in and vocational,” Mr Chiyobe stated.
He advised the government to allocate some funds towards the payment of outstanding allowances for civil servants from the COVID-19 stimulus package.
Mr Chiyobe further advised the government to have the pension’s reforms and introduce building mortgages for all civil servants.
“Civil servants who are with the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) will fail to sustain themselves after retirement due to the removal of the lump sum retirement package,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province CSAWUZ member Margaret Nkosi, has thanked the organizers of the conference saying that it gives the members a platform to interact and learn from other members from other parts of the country.
The 10th Women Quadrennial Conference held at Sky View Lodge in Chongwe was held under the theme; Building a united and well organized CSAWUZ through women’s participation.
The Board of Directors of the Road Development Agency (RDA) has confirmed George Manyele as RDA Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
Engineer Manyela has been acting as Chief Executive Officer since June 23rd, this year, he was Director Construction and Rehabilitation before his current appointment.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, RDA Board Chairman, Samuel Mukupa, said the appointment of Engineer Manyela came after a careful evaluation of his performance during the period he acted.
“The Board is confident that Engineer Manyela will add immeasurable value to the Agency’s initiative for sustainability and growth of the business in leading the development of the Agency’s long and short term strategies in providing a sustainable fit for purpose road infrastructure in the country, “Mr Mukupa pointed out.
Engineer Manyela is a holder of a Masters degree in Transportation Engineering from Stellenbosch University of South Africa and a bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Zambia and a fellow of the Engineering institute of Zambia (EIZ) and a member of the institute of Directors.
He joined RDA in 2006 as a Senior Engineer in Northern Province and later transferred to the Copperbelt in the same capacity, he has held other positions in the Agency.
In 2014 he was appointed as a Senior Manager –Pave Zambia 2000 project, a position he held until 2016 when he became Director Construction and Rehabilitation.
Prison Leopards on Friday took a 24 hour lead in Week One of the FAZ Super Division following a 3-0 away win over fellow promoted side Kitwe United at Garden Park in Kitwe.
Friday’s fixture was the lone Week One match played with the remaining games to follow on Saturday and Sunday.
Prisons took command of the match after overcoming an opening ten minutes of pressure from the hosts.
They then took a 2-0 halftime lead within the opening twenty minutes through Francis Zulu in the 10th minute and Simon Nkandu in the 17th minute.
The third goal came in the 79th minute from Junior Zulu who punished Boyd Mulenga for poor defending to earn Prison’s a deserved victory on the road.
2020/2021 FAZ SUPER DIVISION
WEEK 1
31/10/2020
Kabwe Warriors-Green Eagles
Green Buffaloes-Red Arrows
Zanaco-Indeni
Lumwana Radiants-Nkwazi
13h00: Buildcon-Lusaka Dynamos
15h00:Forest Rangers-Nkana
01/11/2020
Napsa Stars-Zesco United
13h00:Power Dynamos-Young Green Eagles
The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Cross Border Traders Association has praised governments of Zambia and Botswana for the progress made towards the completion of the Kazungula Bridge.
Association Chairperson Jacob Makambwe says the completion of the bridge will further cement the strides made in attaining regional integration among the 16 SADC countries.
Mr. Makambwe explained that cross border traders have for a long time faced challenges in transportation especially going across the Zambezi River.
Mr. Makambwe noted that the completion of the bridge will go a long way in easing the movement challenges, and reducing the time that traders used to spend to cross over.
“The completion of the Kazungula Bridge is a step in the right direction for us cross border traders, we faced a lot of problems using those ferries, as we spent a lot of time unnecessary but with that, we will change which is to our advantage,” he noted.
And Mr. Makambwe has also commended the two governments for ensuring that the bridge comes with a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) facility.
He explained that as Zambia strives to benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, setting up an OSBP will facilitate quick movement of goods and services in the region.
“Infrastructure is key if Zambia is to benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, it is for this reason that putting up a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) facility at Kazungula will result in reduced time spent at the border and also it will be cheaper for us the traders because will not be required to pay use the bridge,” he explained.
The construction of the 259.3 million United States dollars Kazungula Bridge project is almost complete and will be handed over to the governments of Zambia and Botswana.
The bridge is a multi-national project in the North-South Corridor and is part of an infrastructure improvement programme that covers the whole corridor. The project includes a bridge linking Botswana and Zambia over the Zambezi River to replace the existing ferry, and a one-stop border facility at Kazungula.
French Ambassador to Zambia Sylvain Berger has pledged to assist Zambia in intensifying its marketing to attract more French investors to Zambia.
Mr. Berger observed that Zambia has considerable potential for investments in most of its economic sectors that need to be exploited.
He wondered why only 40 French companies have so far shown interest to be part of the Zambia –French Chamber of Commerce out of more than 50 thousand companies that are operating in France.
He said this is why there is need for the French embassies in Zambia and France to deepen their collaboration and ensure that more companies are attracted to invest in the Zambian economy.
“Even if this is my last day working in Zambia, I will work with Ambassador Sata to bring more companies to invest in Zambia, we have more than 50,000 companies in France but only 40 are part of the this chamber of commerce this is why we need to encourage them to come to Zambia it’s a good place,” he added.
Mr. Berger was speaking in Lusaka today, when he officiated at an event where the Zambia–French Chamber of Commerce was receiving COVID-19 materials for its members.
Meanwhile, the French ambassador explained that despite Zambia not being too much affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, its economy has been negatively impacted hence the need for stakeholders to work together in resuscitating the economy.
He further encouraged government and Zambians to continue adhering to the set health guidelines in order to combat the pandemic.
At the same function Zambia’s Ambassador to France Christine Kaseba-Sata has praised Ambassador Berger for the active role he played to attract French investors to Zambia through the Zambia –French Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Kaseba-Sata said the chamber has supplemented government’s efforts in many situations among them contending the further spread of coronavirus pandemic by distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
She noted that the Zambian embassy in France will continue engaging other stakeholders including those in the diaspora on the need to support Zambia in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are happy your Excellency we are happy with what you have being doing for Zambia, you were instrumental in creating the Zambia –French Chamber of Commerce which has helped in supplementing Zambia’s efforts in improving its economy,” she said.
Earlier, Zambia–French Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alexander Degre announced that the chamber is about to launch a cloud fund which is aimed at expediting the campaign for more companies to join the chamber.
President Edgar Lungu says he is not ashamed of Zambia’s indebtedness because the money has been used to finance the massive Infrastructure development taking place around the country.
President Lungu said he is pleased that money from Zambia’s debt has not been misappropriated but has been used to build infrastructure which people are now benefiting from.
The Head of State dispelled assertions that his administration has been reckless in borrowing money for infrastructure projects and maintained that it is from borrowing that Lusaka and the rest of the country are being transformed.
“What Is Better, borrowing to transform the country; or not borrowing and doing nothing at all? It is from borrowing that we have managed to rebuild Lusaka,” said President Lungu.
The President made the remarks when he commissioned the Arcades Fly Over Bridge along the Great East Road as part of the 289 million united states dollars financed Lusaka Decongestion Project.
The Arcades Fly Over Bridge is intended to decongest traffic at the Intersection of Great East, Thabo Mbeki and Katima Mulilo roads.
Two more Bridges at Munali and Longacres are expected to be completed with some selected roads expanded to improve flow of traffic while at the same time beautifying the city.
President Lungu said the construction and commissioning of the Arcades Fly Over Bridge and the improved road network among other infrastructure development has been his dream, to see Lusaka and the entire country change for the better.
“Two days ago, we were remembering President Michael Chilufya Sata, whose vision, amongst many other things, was to see the transformation of Zambia through infrastructure development. President Sata would not have been disappointed to see what we have done in fulfilling his dream. Lusaka has been transformed. Zambia has been transformed”, stated President Lungu.
The President said he will not be deterred by detractors from pursuing the PF collective vision of rebuilding Zambia through infrastructure projects.
President Lungu said infrastructure development is necessary to attract investment to the country because investors want good and proper road networks.
The President thanked India for financing 85 per cent of the Lusaka Decongestion project while government will continue to honour its 15 per cent financing stake.
The Head of State has since urged cooperating partners to continue supporting Zambia’s development agenda because his administration has the will and zeal to rebuild Zambia.
Local Government Minister Charles Banda whose ministry is overseeing the Lusaka Decongestion Project, disclosed that the project has reached 80 per cent.
Dr Banda said the commissioning of the Makeni and Arcades Fly Over Bridges demonstrate government’s commitment to putting up infrastructure that will help drive economic and social development in the country.
And Indian High Commissioner to Zambia Ngulkham Gangte said his country remains committed to supporting Zambia’s economic and social development agenda.
High Commissioner Gangte said India’s development cooperation has no conditions and is based on the needs of the country it is assisting.
He explained that the new infrastructure being built under the Lusaka Decongestion Project is disaster resilient and of superior quality and durability.
The Indian envoy described the Lusaka Decongestion Project as a tangible achievement that has changed the landscape of Lusaka City and deepened development cooperation between the two countries.
High Commissioner Gangte said Constructors of the project, AFCONS remain on course to complete the decongestion project despite the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the socio-economic activities in the country and the world.
And Local Government Permanent Secretary Ed Chomba thanked President Lungu for the project that has changed the face of Lusaka and shamed critics of the PF Administration.
The commissioning of the Arcades Fly Over Bridge was witnessed by PF Secretary General Davies Mwila, Minister of Infrastructure Vincent Mwale , Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, Senior Party and Government Officials and members of the diplomatic corp.
A sea of Patriotic Front cadres joined Lusaka residents to witness the commissioning of the second fly over bridge under the Lusaka decongestion projects.
President Edgar Lungu with Indian high Commissioner to Zambia Ngulkham Gangte and his Ministers tour the newly constructed Arcades fly-over bridge after official commissioning. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
President Edgar Lungu unveils the plague during the official commissioning of Arcades fly-over Bridge in Lusaka. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANISThe fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firmThe fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firmThe fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firmThe fly-over Bridge that has been constructed by AFCON constructing firmPresident Edgar Lungu poses for the group photo with some of his Ministers, India’s high commissioner to Zambia and other officials after commissioning the Arcades fly-over Bridge. Picture by SUNDAY BWALYA/ZANIS
The Kitwe Pastors Fellowship has expressed disappointment with the collapse of the Constitution Amendment Bill number 10 in Parliament yesterday.
Speaking in an interview in Kitwe today, the pastors’ fellowship chairperson Reverend Raddy Lewila said the members of Parliament have failed to deliver the wishes of the people that sent them to Parliament.
“The MPs did not go by the wishes of the people but on their political inclination and posterity will judge us,” Reverend Lewila said.
Reverend Lewila noted that with the collapse of the bill, the country may hold the 2021 general elections under the 2016 constituency which will subject the county to the same challenges that were faced after the elections due to the Lacunas contained in there which could have been corrected with the passing through of Bill 10.
“Bill 10 was a progressive bill which most of us church leaders supported except for a few church mother bodies, we supported it and we would have loved it to go through, it is unfortunate that it has failed, ” he said.
Kabwe Mayor, Prince Chileshe, has distanced the local authority from the illegal allocation of residential plots at Kakumbi area.
Opening the Full Council Meeting at the Civic Centre this morning, Mr Chileshe said the local authority sympathizes with the 80 families whose houses were demolished by the Zambia Army in Kakumbi area but said the council had no hand in the allocation of the illegal plots.
The mayor said the affected families acquired land from bogus people who crafted documents purported to be from Kabwe Municipal Council (KMC) while in fact not.
“We know they are mourning the loss and we sympathize with them but we will not allow them to paint a perception that we encouraged people to build on the said land,” Mr Chileshe said.
He said the local authority will continue to do what is possible to restore sanity in land acquisition and appealed to Kabwe residents to follow the right process of acquiring land.
“As a responsible council we are going to interrogate this matter case-by-case with a view of lessening the burden on the affected families,” he said.
Kabwe Municipal Council came into the limelight two weeks ago after being accused of illegal land allocations when the Zambia Army swung into action and demolition houses built on its land in Kakumbi area.
Mr Chileshe has also urged the council staff to be upright when dealing with the acquisition of land in order to reduce issues of illegal land allocations.
The mayor has also warned council workers to stay away from partisan politics but to remain loyal to the system and the government in power.
He said the local authority will not hesitate to sanction any punitive measures on any officer found indulging in politics
