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State Counsel Dr. Henry Mbushi Takes Lusaka City Council to Court Over Illegal Structures on Children’s Play Park

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State Counsel Dr. Henry Mbushi has taken the Lusaka City Council (LCC) to court, demanding the demolition of illegal structures on land originally designated as a children’s play park in Chalala.

The land, located at stand number 29558 in Chalala, off Ring Road, has been the subject of controversy since 2019, when it was allegedly occupied by Patriotic Front (PF) cadres.

Dr. Mbushi, representing the community, revealed in a lawsuit filed in the Lusaka High Court that the LCC had planned the area as a recreational facility for children to engage in outdoor games and activities.

However, the community’s vision for a vibrant play park was shattered when the alleged PF cadres reportedly invaded the site and began constructing unplanned buildings.

Efforts to address the issue date back to 2019, when Dr. Mbushi wrote to then-President Edgar Lungu, raising concerns about the unauthorized occupation.

The president responded by sending then-Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe to assess the situation.

Although Mwanakatwe acknowledged the problem during her visit, she reportedly informed the community that the LCC claimed it was powerless to act against the cadres.

Complaints to both the Ministry of Local Government and the LCC have failed to yield any action, leaving the community frustrated and without the recreational space that was rightfully theirs, Dr. Mbushi claims.

He claims that the situation has worsened over time, with residents reporting constant noise from the illegal dwellings, creating an environment far from the peaceful haven they once knew.

He stated that children, who are the rightful beneficiaries of the play park, have been left without a safe space to play, as the encroachments have robbed them of their recreational facilities.

Dr. Mbushi argues that the land was legally allocated for community use under Zambia’s Town and Country Planning Act and that the LCC’s failure to act contravenes these provisions.

He alleges that the illegal structures were erected without the necessary consent from the Ministry of Local Government, rendering them unlawful.

The Chalala community seeks an order for the removal and demolition of the illegal structures.

They also want the restoration of the land to its original condition as planned by the LCC, as well as compensation for the community’s loss of use of the land, legal costs, and interest.

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