Government threatens to remove Mumbwa GMA squatters by force

Government threatens to remove Mumbwa GMA squatters by force

Mumbwa, August 21, ZANIS…Government says it will use force to remove squatters in Mumbwa Game Management Area [GMA] if they do not cooperate with government.

Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Minister, Prof. Nkandu Luo told the squatters that government had respected them by finding them alternative land where they can re-settle and wondered why they continued being stubborn.

Prof. Luo said government will use force to remove them from the GMA area since they have vowed not to move out of the area as they claim that their case was before the courts of law.

The Minister said this yesterday when she addressed squatters in Chungu area about 53 km west of Mumbwa boma.

And the squatters who were led by Headman Kapeshi further angered the Minister when they threatened of blood shed which she described as an insult to government.

Prof. Luo added that government had no information that the case was still active in the courts of law because the verdict has already been passed by the court.

She accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) of inciting the squatters to resist relocation as they are using UPND Lawyers to represent them to fight the relocation exercise.

Prof. Luo said government will now move in with force to remove the squatters as they are staying in an in area which is reserved for animals.

The uncompromising villagers who continued arguing with the Minister forced her to close the meeting and leave the area.