SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, HUMAN RIGHTS, NATIONAL GUIDANCE, GENDER MATTERS AND GOVERNANCE
“THE REVIEW OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR ZAMBIA”
1.0. INTRODUCTION
Land in Zambia which, in the past was seen as sacred, spiritual and a basis of identity and a heritage for many of the indigenous societies, throughout the country, is now taken as a commodity that can be transacted for money. As a result, there is fierce competition out there. People holding customary land such as headpersons, some Chiefs and individuals are busy selling it to the highest bidder including foreigners whose status are either unknown or highly questionable. This practice of selling customary land has displaced many people, especially the vulnerable poor villagers who depend on it for their livelihoods. Their inability to defend their land rights against the rich and powerful in the Zambian society today has made them very vulnerable. In a number of cases many of them have become landless and villageless, because their villages have either been sold off or taken over by the expansion of new districts, leading to loss of identity of the displaced people.
Download the entire SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, HUMAN RIGHTS, NATIONAL GUIDANCE, GENDER MATTERS AND GOVERNANCE here https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/key_papers/Lands-Tribunal-Presentation.pdf
