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Minister of Local Government and Rural Developmet, Gary Nkombo, has suspended all Chongwe Municipal council councilors, including the mayor, for 90 days over alleged illegal land allocations.
The suspension, effective immediately, was enforced under Section 56 of the Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019, following claims of violations of the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, Nkombo announced the appointment of Charlston Hamulyata as Local Government Administrator to oversee council operations during the suspension.
Hamulyata has been tasked with facilitating policy and decision-making, investigating allegations of illegal land allocation, reviewing the council’s operations and submitting a comprehensive report within 90 days.
Nkombo emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring transparency, and holding local authorities accountable.
In December 2024, the Chongwe Municipal Council was also suspended as a planning authority due to its failure to meet planning obligations, according to the Lusaka Provincial Planning Authority.
“As a result, the Provincial Planning Authority will assume the functions of the local planning authority, ensuring continuity in planning and development initiatives,” Nkombo stated.
He further clarified that all planning permissions for development, subdivision, and change of land use in Chongwe would now be handled by the Lusaka Province Planning Authority.
The Minister warned all planning authorities nationwide to strictly adhere to their obligations under the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015, which empowers the government to suspend any local planning authority failing to perform its functions.
This move may signal a broader effort by the government to curb irregularities in land administration and ensure compliance with urban planning laws.
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