Zambian Government Plans Zimbabwe Style Assault on the Urban Poor

http://squattercity.blogspot.com/

Friday, March 09, 2007
Zambia gets the demolition bug

The government of Zambia has decided to demolish all shantytowns. These communities, it so happens, are also where the opposition draws its support. The horror continues. Isn’t there a difference between squatter settlements and well-off people who have grabbed government land for their own gain. And where will the dislocated people go? Reuters and the Times of Zambia have details.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2080477,00.html

Zambia to demolish shanty towns
08/03/2007 12:34 – (SA)

Lusaka – The Zambian government announced plans on Thursday to demolish illegal settlements throughout the country, an action expected to leave several thousand people homeless.

President Levy Mwanawasa’s cabinet endorsed the plan to destroy illegal shanty towns that have mushroomed in urban areas recently, especially in the capital Lusaka, said information minister Vernon Mwaanga.

He said the demolition programme had already been started in Lusaka by the local authority with the backing of the cabinet.

Mwaanga said: “Government will therefore continue with the demolitions that were started in Lusaka.

“The exercise will not be restricted to Lusaka alone but will include all towns throughout the country.

“We will use whatever means necessary to enforce and uphold the law.”

Neighbouring Zimbabwe carried out a similar exercise in 2005 that left thousands of people homeless and attracted widespread international condemnation, including from the United Nations.

Zambia’s main opposition Patriotic Front draws most of its support from the urban poor, particularly in Lusaka’s shantytowns.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200703080298.html

Zambia: State to Demolish Illegal Structures

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)

March 8, 2007

Ndola

GOVERNMENT will demolish all illegal and unplanned settlements throughout the country.

In Lusaka, illegal structures in Kamwala south, Kalikiliki and other areas will be brought down, containerised shops at the City market removed and street vendors cleared off.
Africa 2007

Chief Government spokesperson, Vernon Mwaanga, announced at a news conference in Lusaka yesterday that Government would use whatever means at its disposal to restore order in the nation.

He said State machinery will swing into full action and no political leader or cadre whether from the ruling MMD or opposition would be spared if found wanting. Those that use unorthodox means to challenge police action would be doing so at their own peril.

Mr Mwaanga said the move followed Cabinet approval of recommendations to demolish all unplanned settlements and warned that those defying the law would be dealt with firmly.

The development had been necessitated by the increase in acts of lawlessness, which have gone unabated.

Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Lands Minister Bradford Machila, Local Government and Housing Minister Sylvia Masebo and Information Deputy Minister David Phiri flanked Mr Mwaanga at the briefing.

Mr Mwaanga said the Government was concerned about the increasing rate of illegal allocations of land and illegal developments taking place in the country, especially, in Lusaka.

“Government will therefore continue with the demolitions that were started in Lusaka about two months ago involving the removal of illegal containers at City Market and demolition of illegal structures in Kamwala South and other areas.

“This exercise will not be restricted to Lusaka alone but will include all towns throughout the country. The removal of street vendors which started in Kabwe shall also extend to all other towns including Lusaka,” he said.

He described the prevailing situation in the country as unacceptable saying, “We will use whatever means necessary to enforce and uphold the law.”

The illegal developments include the invasion of State land and of formally planned and allocated land and illegal extensions to existing structures caused by disregard of the law and political interference.

At the same function, Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said police had already started investigating and arresting prominent people involved in illegal allocation of land.

Mr Machila also said there were a number of shortcomings in the land administration due to inadequacies in the law. In view of this, the Government would review all existing legislation relating to land.

Ms Masebo said there was no shortage of land in Zambia except Lusaka because some people had acquired more than one piece of land.

The minister cited incidences where unscrupulous people sold land earmarked for schools while an official at the ministry of Works and Supply was also issuing plans to unsuspecting citizens.