The Chairman of the Luembe Headmen's Association says ...

Today the Chairman of the Luembe Headmen's Association, Patson Lungu, said in Lusaka that he would shortly call a meeting of all the headmen in the Luembe Chiefdom to discuss the illegal alienation of the Mvuvye National Forest No. 54 to so-called investors by Senior Chief Luembe - one, Francis Kalungu Njobvu, whom the community wish to remove and have replaced by Devalias Phiri Besa. Lungu said that he would hold another meeting with the Zambia Anti-Corruption Committee, and, after the Headmen's meeting, would petition Parliament to undo the illegal alienation by corrupt elements within the Nyimba District Council, the Forestry Department and the Ministry of Lands. He expects shortly to be joined by Mr Axon Lungu, Chairman of the Luembe Community Resource Board, a Board empowered under the Wildlife Act of 1998.

West Mvuvye National Forest No. 54 Illegal Alienation

The Chairman of the Luembe Community Resource Board reports that Messrs Tom Younger and Andrew Baldry visited Snr Chief Luembe again recently in order to obtain more land, and were unsuccessful. It appears that the pair have obtained a renewable 99 year statutory lease on that portion of the National Forest which formerly was Luembe customary land. In order for National Forest to be sold, it needs to be de-gazetted with Parliament's approval. This has not been done. Apparently the local community have received a 20% share in the scheme - through an Association. This illegal alienation, as well as the illegal alienation of that part of the National Forest formerly part of the Chief Mwape customary area has been reported to the Commission for Investigations, to the National Movement Against Corruption (NAMAC) and shortly as a petition to Parliament by the Chairman of the CRB and by the Headman's Association of Luembe. The Luembe Conservancy Trust, which applied for a Joint Forest Management Agreement with the Forestry Department in order to develop a participatory conservationa and development scheme two years ago, has to date received no reply to its application, clearly now having been overtaken by current events. Despite numerous contacts with Foresty - particularly its regional representative, Bwalya Chendaoke, they appear to be taking no action.

Senior Chief Luembe is now the subject of an application for an Interim Injunction in the High Court for Zambia under the Chiefs Act (Cap 287 of the Laws of Zambia) restraining the respondent Francis Kalunga Njobvu from acting as Chief Luembe. the plaintiff is Devallias Phiri Besa. Recently the head of the Yendwa clan, Senior Chief Mboroma visited Luembe and travelled to Mwape for a meeting of the Nyendwa chiefs to discuss the issue.




posted by ipam @ 8:44 AM   0 co

The Luembe Community Resource Board complain to the Department of Forestry

Last week, Axon Lungu, Chairman of the Luembe Community Resource Board and trustee of the Luembe Conservancy Trust, which represent the community on wildlife and natural resource matters, visited the Department of Forestry in Lusaka to complain of the corruption which has occurred with regard to the alienation of part of the West Mvuvye National Forest to a businessman, of the failure of forestry to take action, and of the ongoing attempts of Chief Luembe, Baldry and Younger - with the conivance of Forestry officials, to make use of that part of the forest presently not alienated. He was unable to see the director, saw a more junior officer who promised to give him and answer in the forthcoming week.

West Mvuvye National forest news...

Two weeks ago, Senior Chief Luembe, accompanied by ex-Councillor Whiteson Njobvu, Messrs Balrdy and Younger, and two investors, came into the West Petauke GMA and passed the Malone camp of Mbeza Safaris stating that they had not been allowed to pass through the Nyamadzi Game Ranch by Derrick van Staden in order to visit the West Mvuvye National Forest, and would visit it from the opposit bank. On the return of the party, the chief informed Maloone staff that the investors wished to employ cooks and drivers.