Illegal structures in Kabwata irk councillor

SIMON MUNTEMBA writes

MUSHROOMING illegal structures in Lusaka’s Kabwata Estate has irked area councillor Longa Chiboboka who has vowed to have them razed.

And one of the developers, Alex Zulu and landlord of house number 06/01 claimed they (as a family) applied and obtained planning permission from the local authority before they could proceed with construction.

In an interview with the Sun, Mr Chibobola however, who is Kabwata ward 6 councillor bemoaned the increase in the construction of illegal structures in his ward.

He said it was sad that private developers had encroached on the road reserve on Kasonkomona Road in the area.

Mr Chiboboka warned that he would engage the local authority to ensure that those structures illegally constructed on road reserves and drainage systems were demolished.

He said it was law for the developers to ensure they acquired planning permission before they developed any structures.

“Unfortunately that construction at house number 06/01 is illegal. I have tried to enquire from Lusaka City Council (LCC) and what I have found out is that there were no papers issued to them. And we will not allow illegality,” Mr Chiboboka.

He said such development unfortunately deprived access to the drainage system to all those working and living in the area.

He said  developers who wished to change the design of their structures should also apply for planning permission.

The councillor however warned the developers who had not regularized their structures to apply for the process to be effected.

A check by the Sun crew found Kasonkomona Road  encroached with foundations dug and building materials on site.

Mr Zulu who is one of the developers told claimed that the local authority had approved the construction works.

Despite failing to produce any legal documents, Mr Zulu maintained they had been issued construction permission by LCC.

“We applied to LCC for planning permission of this piece of land and we were allowed. The council knows everything about this construction. In fact, even a surveyor from LCC came and approved it,

 “And if you look around, you will see that even our neighbours down this road built wall fences near the road.”

Mr Zulu vowed he  would leave the space until the President intervened in his case because he was  not a squatter.