Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) I have never signed anywhere that I have given land to the state -Chief Nkole

I have never signed anywhere that I have given land to the state -Chief Nkole
TIME PUBLISHED - Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 2:41 pm

A traditional ruler has ordered the Kapiri Mposhi District Council not to displace his subjects from their farmlands in his chiefdom.

Chief Nkole of the Swaka speaking people said the claim for part of the land of his chiefdom by the council is illegal adding that the local authority should not proceed to evicting his people from the land. The Chief revealed that the council has repossessed a 15 Km radius size of land from his chiefdom and was threatening to evict his subjects from the land in question.

In a statement to ZANIS today the Chief said he had not surrendered the said land to the government and accused the council of illegally grabbing part of his chiefdom land.

Chief Nkole stated that his subjects who are currently settled on the land were legally given the farm plots.

“I have never signed anywhere that I have given land to the state so do not displace my people from their farms on this land because those are their permanent farms given to them with permits”, Chief Nkole said.

He warned the Council to stop interfering into land issues in his chiefdom and not to undertake any land development works in the area without his permission.

“ I’m warning the council to stop interfering in my chiefdom land boundaries because their claims that I have given 15 Km radius land to the state is false. They should let my people stay in harmony on this land”, Chief Nkole said.
“ I’m warning the council to stop interfering in my chiefdom land boundaries because their claims that I have given 15 Km radius land to the state is false. They should let my people stay in harmony on this land”, Chief Nkole said.

This is also contained in a letter to the Council Secretary, Venture Kafula and copied to among others the Commissioner of Lands, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Traditional and Chiefs Affairs and Central Province Permanent Secretary.

But Kapiri Mposhi District Council has refuted claims from Chief Nkole that the local authority has grabbed land from his subjects.

Council Secretary, Venture Kafula said the council has just applied to the Royal Highness asking for the land in question and has not proceeded to evicting the settlers because the Chief has not yet consented to the request.

Mr Kafula said the council intends to acquire the land for developmental purposes and widening its jurisdiction boundaries.

The Council Secretary argued that the local authority has just taken over the administration of the land on which government recently constructed theDistrict Hospital, a Girls Technical School and Mushimbili Dam.

“We can’t grab traditional land without the approval of the Chief we follow the procedure that’s why we have applied to him for consent and we are waiting for him to approve”, Mr Kafula said.

ZANIS

Labels: FDI, KAPIRI MPOSHI, LAND RIGHTS

posted by MrK @ 3:03 PM