Lusaka section revolts
May 14 2008 12:42:17:360PM  - (SA)  
Papi Tshabalala

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According to Lekgotla “Bongoman” Rammiki, the Maluti a Phofung (MAP) Crisis Forum’s chairperson, it came to their attention that the rights of at least three families were disregarded during construction of the road.

To their dismay, Rammiki said, they found that sections of the road were indeed constructed in the yards of the three women.

“This is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated and as a result we think it proper help these families,” he said.

He said they made it known to the public that what the municipality and the councillor did should not be tolerated.

Rammiki said that he noted with discontent the manner in which the police intervened in this matter.

“What we wanted to do was to fence off the yards of the affected families, but were told we would be arrested,” claimed Rammiki.

One of the residents, 53-year-old Gracy Lota, told Express Qwaqwa that she was told by her ward councillor, Thoko Zimu, that she was occupying the land on which her house was built illegally.

This claim of illegal occupation is strongly denied by Lota who says she has evidence to prove that she is occupying that land legally.

“I have a letter from the chief (Morena Mathealira Mopeli) that shows that this is my yard which I bought in 2004.

“This letter has the chief’s stamp on it, so how on earth can that councillor say that I am occupying the land illegally?” she asked.

Express Qwaqwa has seen the letter with the chief’s official stamp on it.

Lota said her children’s lives were in danger as the road passed through her yard and was practically on her doorstep.

She said she constantly had to make sure that her grandchildren did not play in the road.

Selina Lota (61) revealed to Express Qwaqwa that she was not present when the fence around her yard was destroyed.

“I went to our councillor but she was not cooperative. Instead she told me she knew what she was doing and that I had to stop worrying. I am still waiting for her,” an angry Selina said.

In response, ward councillor Thoko Zimu told Express Qwaqwa that people should not be misled.

“To my knowledge, only one household was affected by the construction of the road and we reached a consensus with the owner that we would find her another stand. As for the other two I don’t really know what their concern is,” said Zimu.

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