Minister Sialubalo: Mwewa Illegal Demolitions Investigation in Lusaka

• Local Government Minister Gift Sialubalo has ordered an investigation into alleged illegal shop demolitions in Lusaka.
• The inquiry focuses on actions attributed to Mwewa and whether structures were razed unlawfully.
• The Minister's team will engage the Lusaka City Council and its Mayor regarding complaints from marketeers.
• The investigation aims to establish the legality of structures demolished under "Operation Clear Path."
• The government seeks to ensure all urban enforcement activities adhere to legal frameworks and property rights.

The government seeks to establish the legality of the demolished structures and the procedures followed during their removal, particularly within the context of the broader initiative known as "Operation Clear Path."

Zambia's Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gift Sialubalo, has initiated an official inquiry into allegations of illegal demolitions targeting shops in Lusaka. This investigation specifically focuses on actions attributed to Lusaka Mayor Chitambala Mwewa, aiming to ascertain whether the structures were razed without proper legal authority. The Minister's directive comes in response to a wave of complaints from marketeers whose businesses were impacted by these demolition activities.

Minister Sialubalo has instructed his departmental team to engage directly with the Lusaka City Council (LCC) and its Mayor. The primary objective of these discussions is to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the demolitions. The government seeks to establish the legality of the demolished structures and the procedures followed during their removal, particularly within the context of the broader initiative known as "Operation Clear Path."

The complaints that triggered this investigation stem from demolitions carried out under "Operation Clear Path" in Lusaka. This operation has seen various structures dismantled, leading to significant disruption for numerous marketeers and businesses operating in the city. The core issue under scrutiny is whether these actions, particularly those linked to Mayor Mwewa, adhered to established legal frameworks governing property rights and urban development in Zambia.

The government's intervention underscores a commitment to ensuring that all urban planning and enforcement activities, including those by the Lusaka City Council, are conducted within the bounds of the law. The Minister's team will be scrutinizing records and procedures to determine if any shops were indeed demolished illegally, potentially infringing upon the rights of the affected individuals and businesses.

Minister Sialubalo emphasized the government's intent to clarify the legality of the demolished structures. This inquiry is not merely procedural but aims to address the grievances of marketeers who claim their shops were unlawfully destroyed. The outcome of this investigation involving Minister Sialubalo and Mayor Mwewa will be crucial in determining the next steps, which could include accountability for any proven illegalities.

This probe into the alleged illegal demolitions involving Lusaka Mayor Mwewa highlights the government's role in overseeing local authorities and upholding property rights in Zambia. The findings will provide clarity on the operational conduct of the Lusaka City Council demolitions under "Operation Clear Path legality" and could set precedents for future urban development and enforcement actions across the country.

Lawyers representing marketeers or businesses affected by demolitions under 'Operation Clear Path' in Lusaka should monitor this investigation closely, as it may provide grounds for challenging the legality of the demolitions or pursuing compensation claims against the Lusaka City Council or involved officials if illegalities are confirmed.

Source: Original reporting via The Zambian Observer