MUPAMBE FARMERS CRY FOUL OVER LAND GRAB

Some smallholder farmers from Mupambe area in Mufulira District on the Copperbelt have accused the Mufulira Municipal Council of allocating land that they have been conducting farming activities on for more than 17 years to unknown people.

The affected farmers have told Mafken FM radio in a walk in interview that they were allowed to farm on the land which is a former Zambia Railways compound, after it was discovered that the land was not conducive for human habitation by ZCCM-IH due to hazards posed by mining activities in the area.

They have lamented that despite the land not being conducive for human habitation, they were, however, surprised when they went to prepare their fields for the upcoming farming season to discover that, the local authority has started giving plots of land to people to put up structures.

Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment by Mafken FM radio, Mufulira Municipal Council Public Relations Manager, Thandiwe Tembo has dispelled assertions made by farmers, stating that, no farmer has been displaced in the said land.

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By Respite Kaoma