Glencore owned Mopani Copper Mines – MCM has cautioned members of the public against buying land from unscrupulous people who are selling land that is under Nkana mine license area to avoid losing their hard earn money to fraudsters.
In a statement made available to Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Mopani Copper Mines Public Relations Manager Nebert Mulenga stated that there is some land that is being sold illegally and has since advised the general public not to fall in the trap of buying land from people who have no title nor authority.
“Mopani Copper Mines wishes to urge all members of the public to desist from buying land being illegally demarcated on Farm No. 840 on the Nkana Mine Licence Area (Surface Rights/Protected Area) in Mindola North near Ichimpe Forestry” he said.
Mulenga disclosed that there are some groups people who are practicing this illegal act of demarcating land which is owned by Mopani Copper Mine and the proof of ownership can be referred to the purchase and sales agreement between the mine and government.
“The land being illegally demarcated by groups of people known as “Voice of the Vulnerable” and “Luyando Society” belongs to Mopani Copper Mines Plc as assigned in the Purchase and Sale Agreement of 2000 between Mopani and the Government of the Republic of Zambia”, he said.
Furthermore, he said that the land is being used for its active tailings dams and mine expansion. The land extends from Ichimpe Forestry to the Kalulushi-Sabina Road. Illegal plots have been allocated as far as the south-west of Mine Tailings Dam No. 15A up to Mugala community.
Mopani has warned everyone buying this illegal plots that they risk losing their money and worse still, being prosecuted and the structures built on the illegally sold land will be demolished.
“All those buying the illegal plots in the area risk being prosecuted and losing their money as we commence the demolition of all structures illegally built on our land in line with our company’s zero tolerance policy to land encroachment”, he said.
The matter has since been reported to the law enforcement agencies and Mopani has also notified relevant authorities, line Government Ministries and the Kitwe City Council who have described the activity as regrettable.
Efforts are still underway to get a comment from the “Luyando society” and “Voice of the vulnerable” members. Kitwe remains Zambias second larger city by population size and has recently attracted landmark investments such as the ECL mall and business park.
