— Legal and Justice Sector Reforms commission holds sittings in Chirundu

The Legal and Justice Sector Reforms commission today heard that Chirundu district council has continued transacting on customary land whose Chief was dethroned
due to the succession wrangles.

Vice Kadunga vice headman Mark Tembo told the commission that the local council claims to have acquired 600 hectares of land from the self imposed chief who was dethroned and disclosed that the transaction has no papers to back their claims.

The said traditional leader stated the council has been disregarding the local leadership in their operation in the villages which he said has no gone well with the sub chiefs who are the custodians of the land.

He explained that the traditional leadership is excited with the declaration of Chirundu as a district and wants development but will not accept to be disregarded by the council.

He observed that in the manner the land matters were being addressed in Sikongo chiefdoms, it was likely that the dethroned chief conducted himself in a corrupt manner as no chief was consulted.

He however disclosed that the matter was being addressed in court and an injunction was obtained from the courts to stop the council from getting land which he said has been violated as they have gone ahead.

 

Meanwhile an official  from the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs advised the vice village headman to report the matter to the ministry so that government can engage the council in the matter.

Mr. Michael Pwete who is one of the Commissioners on the Legal and Justice Sector Reforms explained once the chiefdom loses a chief all the land transactions are frozen until the new chief is installed.

He wondered how the council has been transacting on land matter in the absence of the traditional leader as the chief who assumed power after the death of the chief was dethroned.

He said village headmen will not be able to resolve the matters without the involvement of the ministry of Chiefs and Traditional affairs hence the need to engage them.

The Commission has so far received several petitions from villagers on land matters and have made arrangements to meet the council secretary in order to establish where the problem could be.

Irene Lamba, a commissioner, suggested that in order to conclusively address the matter there was need to see the council secretary and her idea was unanimously welcomed by the commissioners and its
chairperson.