LOCK THEM UP
LAW enforcement agencies must be commended over the swift manner in which they have acted to stop the illegal seizure of land by suspected political cadres.
Indeed, the trend whereby political cadres thought they could occupy any piece of vacant land and do as they pleased with it – selling plots illegally - must be confined to a bygone era.
The practices of that era must never be allowed to resurface where even those who had genuine title to land were forced to let go some portions without any compensation, and protection from the law.
It is therefore pleasing that at the weekend in Lusaka, Police apprehended 19 people who were found demarcating land under the Zesco high voltage power lines in Kabwata Site and Service.
The suspects who include three females and an 80-year-old man have all been charged with the offence of criminal trespass.
Scores of UPND cadres armed with slashers, axes and machetes set fire to the strip of land between Kamwala ring road and Zesco and ZRL reserve and have started selling plots.
According to the reports, the cadres were charging K500 for registration and the plots were going at K50, 000.
The cadres were claiming they had been given a go ahead by Kabwata councillor Chishala Bwalya and their constituency UPND chairman.
However, Mr Bwalya disowned the group, that he had nothing to do with them.
His explanation was that some traders had asked him to approach the relevant authorities on their behalf that they be allowed to trade from that area.
He said to his surprise, the group went ahead to clear the space without his consent in readiness that the anticipated trading space would be given to them.
Their arrest came barely a week after illegal squatters in Kafue Park area were issued with eviction warnings in Kitwe by the District Commissioner Mr Lawrence Mwanza
Mr Mwanza warned them that any structure that has been built on land lined up for schools, clinics, markets and other development projects will be demolished.
The government should therefore be commended for moving in swiftly before matters get out of hand.
People must not think that being supporters of the party in government gives them a leeway to break the law with impunity.
As community activist Kayela Chanda noted, “UPND cadres should not start taking the law into their own hands by sharing illegal plots in the name of being supporters of the party.”
One could even doubt whether these are genuine supporters who believe in the ideals spelt out by their top leadership in which respect for the rule of law is paramount.
We are glad that the UPND Lusaka Province youth chairperson, Mr Anderson Banda has reiterated that no one was immune and that all those who would be found wanting needed to be locked up.
Mr Banda said the UPND was categorical over the issue of caderism and all those found wanting needed to face the wrath of the law.
One does not need to be a member of the UPND to support its no-nonsense approach to political miscreants who want to undermine the law.
If they do not want to be part of society that respects the law, then they should be locked up.