LAND SCAM

ROGERS KALERO writes KITWE residents have been cautioned not to buy plots from unregistered dealers but always involve designate offices in all land transactions. Town Clerk, Mbulo Seke, observed that some people would end up losing their hard-earned money f they continue buying plots from private individuals without involving the local authority or the Ministry of Land The Town Clerk particularly singled out residents attempting to buy land in Mindolo area from where unscrupulous people were on the loose. He said people could lose out on their hard earned income because the whole deal was an illegal transaction being perpetrated by criminals in Mindolo. Mr Seke said the council was not part of the illegal land transaction being perpetrated by some individuals who were selling land in Mindoloarea. He, therefore, cautioned members of the public not to buy land from such individuals or else they would regret their decision. Mr Seke said the land in question was a subject of a court judgement giving possession of land to Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) as part of mining rights sold by ZCCM-IH. He explained that anyone claiming to own the same piece of land and seeking to sell it must have a letter of offer or a title from the Ministry of lands. “That piece of land belongs to Mopani and those who are involved in the sale of that land are doing it illegally. This is why members of the public who are buying land in Mindolo area stand to lose out their hard earnedincome. “The council is not part of the illegal land transaction being perpetrated by some individuals who were selling land in Mindolo area,” Mr Sekesaid. Kitwe has been experiencing numerous cases of illegal allocation of land in Zamtan area, Zambia Railways land near Manica Freight Services, Presidential Guest house area and other parts of the city. In some cases, councillors have been implicated in the illegal sale of land. A Kitwe business man whose piece of land has been invaded in Zamtanarea, said political party cadres, civic leaders and others who are involved will soon be exposed Charles Nshimbi , whose piece of land was briefly protected by armed after he got a court order, said some councillors have been implicated in the illegal allocation of land on his farm. The Sun