Do you know that the development of land without planning permission can lead to demolition without compensation?

While the country has seen a wise […]

While the country has seen a wise section of informality, where landowners just construct without planning permission from the Ministry of Lands, this is an offense under Section 49 of the Urban and Planning Act.

 According to information gathered by the Zambian Business Times–ZBT, the Act states that “the development of land without planning permission or failure to comply with planning permission constitutes an offense.

 Further, a planning authority can demolish the structure without payment of compensation.” The recent report indicates that 70 percent of urban settlements in Zambia are under informal settlements, a situation that has caused an outcry by the planners and stakeholders who have blamed local authorities for being negligent.

Many stakeholders have observed that the majority of the laws that govern the real estate and construction sector remain unenforced, despite their existence. A wide part of reserved land is being encroached upon, and construction keeps taking place in various parts of the country, most of them without permission;

 however, the onus is on the government and allies to take quick action and serve the face of the country. There are so many questions and criticisms over the effectiveness of the government and its failure to clamp down on lawlessness.

By Samuel Mutale