By JOHN SAKALA
The court has granted an ex-parte order to Gymkhana squatters of Chingola to stay judgement pending an appeal in the Kitwe High Court.
This is in a matter where Emmanuel Chitambala took the squatters to court.
The court ruled that Dr Chitambla was the rightful owner of the land since he had documentation proving ownership while the community relied on the time they have stayed on the same piece of land.
Soon after judgement, the squatters were ordered to vacate the land or face demolition and sensing danger they have stayed the judgement pending an appeal.
Today, August 12, 2020 their Area Councillor Nelius Mumba addressed the squatters saying at the moment he was lip tied since the matter was active in court.
Mr Mumba said relevant authorities will be speedily engaged to ensure that there is an amicable solution between the squatters and the legal owner Dr Chitambala.
And Nchanga Member of Parliament Chali Chilombo who was also present said land administration is very clear in Zambia.
Mr Chilombo said his involvement in the matter was limited because the matter was in court.
Meanwhile, Chingola Mayor Titus Tembo said the squatters know the procedure for them to acquire land.
Mr Tembo said his council had spent a lot of money sensitizing the community on land acquisition through radio and other platforms.
He said Chingola does not have traditional land, meaning that it is only the Ministry of Lands and the Council as an agent with authority over land administration.
“At the moment, we can advise our people to follow the court ruling. We don’t want to entertain another illegal settlement. We have Chigayo, Musenga, Kapisha and Soweto which we are regularizing at the moment and we can’t afford to have another,” he said.
