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NEWS I Letters
To the Editor I Features I
I
Know your Rights I Legal
Advisor I
Chipata
Resident Illegally Sell Plot To 35 People
By Perpetual Sichikwenkwe
The Chipata Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) has uncovered a scam in which a
Chipata resident has in the name of the Church sold a plot to 35
unsuspecting people.
The Foundation has since warned B K Chungu of Zion Church to deist from
obtaining money by false pretences by selling one property to more than one
person.
This came to light when Pelediya Tembo of Chinganeni village, Chief Mshoro
lodged a complainant against Zion church, St Priest Mission, Crown Pope of
Spirit Benson Chungu over land dispute.
Tembo told Chipata LRF paralegal Clement Mwale that she was seeking
assistance on how she could repossess the unfinished house left by her late
son Effron Jabey Tembo.
Tembo said her late son bought the piece of land from Chungu. When he died,
Tembo left a house on the same plot at about roof level before he got a
Title Deed as Chungu is alleged not to have been co-operative and in fact
even todate. Tembo further said that she found unknown people building on
the same incomplete house left by her late son and she reported the matter
to Chipata central police station.
Chungu never reported at the police and action was taken against him. This
led Tembo seek legal assistance from LRF Chipata office. Paralegal Clement
Mwale referred her to the Provincial Lands Officer a Mr Mwanza who later had
a meeting with paralegal Mwale. Mwanza told Mwale that he had noted with
concern the several illegal land transactions by Chungu in particular and
others in general.
Mwanza explained that Chungu had acquired plot Number 1497 under a 14-year
lease, which expired a long time ago. He said Chungu illegally and dubiously
started selling portions of land, which he had initially applied for in his
church's name, Zion church, St Priest Mission. Chungu is on record of having
illegally subdivided the plot to 35 people who he refused to transfer title
deeds.
Mwanza said people should not involve themselves in land transactions
without prior knowledge of his office or that of the Council. Mwanza said
that currently the council was working on the formalisation process of the
same subdivisions on the plot.
Mwale advised Tembo to report back to the police so that Chungu could be
prosecuted for obtaining money by false pretences.
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