By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Government has stopped the eviction of settlers in Luswishi farm block in Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt province.
Natural Resources Minister Elijah Muchima said that they will resume until investigations are concluded on how commercial farmers were given the pieces of land.
Over one hundred families that have lived and cultivated in the farming block for generations are being forced to move out of the area by the investors.
Mr Muchima also assured the settlers that Government will put their interest first and protect their rights.
He also directed his officers to form a verification committee which will have representation from the agriculture department, Local authority, and settlers.
“The work of the committee will be to establish what transpired in the leasing of the farm block and if people were compensated,” he said.
And, Lufwanyama District Commissioner Justine Mwalikwa said that the farm block started operating in 2008 and six commercial farmers have established themselves in the area.
