By ESTHER NG’ANDU –
•CONSTRUCTION of Mufuchani Bridge in Kitwe has been completed. Above, motorists drive through the bridge on Kafue River. Picture by MOFFAT CHAZINGWA
THE Government has given alternative plots to Mufuchani squatters whose houses were this week demolished by Kitwe City Council (KCC).
The affected families have since been given offer letters for the alternative plots which are also within Mufuchani area across Kafue River.
Chief Government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili, who yesterday handed over the offer letters, expressed regret at the council’s action to demolish houses for Mufuchani squatters before engaging the families in dialogue to find a solution.
More than 20 families were on Tuesday left homeless after their houses in Mufuchani settlement were demolished by the council for allegedly having been constructed on illegally-acquired plots.
Mr Kambwili, who is Information and Broadcasting Services minister, described the council’s action, which had no blessings from the Government, as most unfortunate.
“In fact President Edgar Lungu is upset with Kitwe City Council for the manner they have been conducting these demolitions because this is not the first time that we are experiencing this in Kitwe,” Mr Kambwili said.
The minister, who tendered an apology to the affected residents, said the Government would soon take action against KCC.
Mr Kambwili said the Government was not going to tolerate such conduct by the KCC and any other local authority of treating citizens as if they were refugees.
“It is inhumane to treat people like they are refugees in their own country to the extent of demolishing their houses in the rainy season and leave them homeless,” Mr Kambwili said.
He said it was not the policy of the Government to be demolishing houses and assured that investigations in the matter would be instituted so that those responsible could be made to account for their actions.
Mr Kambwili, who was flanked by Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge, Kitwe Mayor Kelvin Sinyangwe and Town Clerk Bornwell Luanga, said the Government had to this effect resolved to provide temporary accommodation at Buchi Hotel for the affected families.
