The six families who have been illegally evicted or expelled from the Kaleya Smallholders Company Limited – KASCOL estates following their questioning of illegal share transfers by businessmen believed to be “connected to high offices” are appealing to President Hakainde Hichilema – HH to intervene and ensure that justice and the rule of law prevails
The six families have been expelled from the Mazabuka based Kaleya smallholders estates following their questioning of what they have described as an illegal share transfer and take over of the company by commercial farmer Costain Chilala and Corporate Executive Munakopya Hantuba.
They are appealing to HH to intervene as all offices in government from the District, Constituency, Provincial and Ministerial level are afraid to attend to them because of the perpetrators of the alleged illegalities (Chilala & Hantuba) are connected to the head of state.
Some of the affected small holder farmers who have invested their lives at the estate who sought anonymity disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, that they have tried to seek audience from the various government and the ruling UPND offices but nothing has been done, the issue is simply being ignored or avoided.
The source told ZBT that the istrict commissioner for Mazabuka has got all the evidence, with all the documentations in place, copies were made avaliable to the DCs office on the illegalities on the acquisition of shares by Chilala and Hantuba.
The source stated that the provincial administration used to call meetings were the District Commissioner and all the parties involved were being invited including the board of directors for KASCOL and Zambia Sugar.
“It seems there is no office that can take up the matter, it seems we are dealing with people that cannot be take anywhere, people who are untouchable. We have passed through necessary offices who are just quiet or are intimidated to try and resolve the matter”.
“The office of the Mayor, District Commissioner who initially asked for copies have done nothing even after being availed all the evidence. The area Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo who is also the Minister of Local Government openly said “ there is nothing i can do for you, You can you can go to court if you want”, the source said.
And when asked if the small holders famers have attempted to meet with Hantuba and Chilala to iron out the issue, the source stated that, a meeting for consolidation was held before the top six members of KASCOL was held and the farmers presented what needed to be done and the duo [Hantuba &Chilala] acted like they had agreed but went ahead and expelled the top six leaders after the said meeting.
The small holders farmers are appealing for Justice and fair treatment. They said that using the court process is being used against them as they have limited resources to engage lawyers. They have appealed to HH to intervene and not allow people to use his name to commit illegalities and expelled deserving members who have invested their lives by connected people.
