A housing expert has raised serious concerns […]

A housing expert has raised serious concerns over the lack of stringent implementation of most laws concerning land across the country.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Roban Muke Director Landlords and Tenants Information Referral Centre, observed that some of the gaps in implementation are a result of a lack of manpower in most of the institutions governing land.

 He cited severe cases of lapses of implementation such as the Fencing Act, which entails restrictions for customary landowners, but most people have been breaking the law, and not many penalties have been taken. Muke also pointed to the Lands Act Chapter 184, which states the case of customary land not being for sale, but more and more traditional leaders and subjects are breaking the law.

“We have so many acts that have no strict enforcement, like the fencing act other countries do not even allow to put huge fences on, whereby if your property is stolen, no one will recover it. There should be regulations on wire fences so that there is visibility,” he added. “We are lacking strict enforcement because we have observed that there is a contradiction with the law regarding fencing and customary land selling. People are busy breaking the law; if they don’t have employees, let them employ more workers to ensure that the law is equally enforced.”

 Among the key issues is the processing of title deeds, which many citizens have countlessly complained of delays taking even five years for. The plight of most Zambians depends on the way laws are applied, especially in the administration of land, which is one of the most contentious sectors. Aside from just numbers, it is essential that the ministry engages qualified personnel in various aspects of the sector.

Article by Samuel Mutale