STATEMENT ON LAND ENCROACHMENTS, ILLEGALITIES IN MARKETS AND BUS STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The Zambia Police Service has received numerous complaints from members of the public about criminally minded individuals who are wantonly disregarding the laws of Zambia on land administration and the regulation of markets and bus stations.

  It is the constitutional mandate of the Police to maintain law and order in order to protect the    rights and freedoms of all citizens in all parts of our country. Article 193 (2) of the Constitution    (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 provides for the Zambia Police Service to Uphold the Bill of  Rights.  

The right to own property (including land) is one of the constitutional rights provided for under part iii of the Constitution of Zambia. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals are busy violating this right through land grabbing and encroachment. Among the identified areas infested with this vice include Lusaka West, Star Cottage in Lusaka, and Mopani property, farm no.840 in Kitwe situated behind Mindolo dam on the Copperbelt Province.

In a like manner, the rights to movement and association are equally infringed upon by criminal elements in markets and bus stations. These acts are making the travelling public to move in fear and have adversely affected socio – economic activities which have the potential to add value to our national economy.

Therefore, the Police Service High Command wishes to warn all perpetrators of the afore mentioned criminal activities to refrain or face the wrath of the law.

All members of the general public are hereby urged to report any case involving land illegalities and harassment at bus stations to the nearest police stations for appropriate action. In this regard all provincial commissioners are advised to put measures in place aimed at alleviating the challenges cited above. Let us ensure that perpetrators are dealt with decisively regardless of their political affiliation.

Malcolm M. Mulenga

Deputy Inspector General of Police – Operations

For/ INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE

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