ZAMBIANS IN SERENJE'S MUCHINDA CHIEFDOM SEEK ASYLUM IN DRC

 

By Patricia Male

Senior Chief Muchinda, Kankomba Welala the third, of the Lala people of Serenje District in Central Province has disclosed that some of his subjects are seeking asylum in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC-.

The traditional leader says the challenge has arisen because of displacements due to mining and converting their land into farm blocks and is appealing to government to treat the matter seriously as the royal establishment has evidence of those seeking asylum.

The senior chief said government's desire for excess land has resulted in 155,000 hectares of land being converted into Nansanga farm block.

Chief Muchinda adds that there is also greediness and corruption among some of those running government machinery.

He said this in a speech read for him by his Royal Establishment Secretary Eliud Katyoka during a traditional leaders’ caucus in Serenje district organized by Centre for Environment Justice which is implementing a Resilient Initiatives for Sustainable Environment project with support from Bread for the World Germany.

But Serenje District Commissioner Paul Masuwa says the Nansanga Pilot project is important as it will create jobs and improve the welfare of the people of Muchinda chiefdom.

And Centre for Environment Justice Board Member Emmanuel Mutamba said Chiefs should be free to contact his organization to research on provisions of the law on several matters including displacements.

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