By 
The University of Lusaka Limited (UNILUS) has no legal right over late President Levy Mwanawasa’s retirement property as I am still in possession of the said property, widow, Maureen Mwanawasa, has told the Lusaka High Court.
The former First lady submitted to court that the vendors, Esther Chipasi and Mustapha Kwabena Osuman, who are alleged to have sold the property to UNILUS at US$2 million, have never been in possession of the property in question.
She stated that UNILUS knew the status of the property before coming to court because she has been in possession of the same property since 2012.
This is a matter in which UNILUS sued the State in the Lusaka High Court, demanding possession of late President Mwanawasa retirement house, which it purchased at more than US$2 million.The applicant described the State and the occupants of the two units at Lot no.24802/M situated in Chongwe District, Lusaka as squatters.
The learning institution cited the Attorney General and other unknown persons as respondents in the matter.
The former first lady, who doubles as co-executor of the late husband’s estate, has however opposed the claims by UNILUS stating that government was still constructing the retirement house and had not officially handed over the property to the family.
She dismissed claims by UNILUS that there were squatters on the property but said the occupants of the two housing units built to accommodate government staff were family members of the late President.
“That the applicant herein was purportedly sold the property which is subject of another statute and the government as well as the estate of the former president has an interest by virtue of the benefits of Former President’s Act and therefore ownership is contentious,” she said.
Maureen argued that until government completed the construction of the retirement house as per Benefits of former Presidentys Act, no third party could claim ownership.
“Simply, the retirement house must be completed, furnished and finally handed over to the family. We pray that the application for summary possession of property no 24892/M by the applicant must fail and that costs be for the respondents,” she stated.
The former First Lady further counselled the learning institution to claim for refund from Chipasi and Osuman.
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