Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Attorney-General cancels National Forest lease...

Mr Sangalube, Chief Forest Extension Officer in the Forestry Department, reported to Axon Lunga, Chairman of the Luembe Community Resource Board, that the Attorney-General of Zambia had cancelled the 99 year leasehold tenure on the traditional Mwape customary area part of the West Mvuvye National Forest which had been fraudently awarded to Mr Zaheer Patel by the Ministry of Lands, a notoriously dishonest Ministry, where files, like black rhino, go missing.

The remaining part of the forest has been alienated to a Mr Tom Younger and a Mr Andrew Baldry, to the Senior Chief Luembe, and a small share held by the community. The Department of Forestry will shortly be cancelling title on this area. Only a few days ago, Chief Luembe and his Kapasos (messengers) entered the area to obtain bushmeat - an illegal activity. A court action to be held in Kabwe to remove the present chief from office will shortly be held.