By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has directed newly sworn-in Commissioner of Lands, Shadreck Mbewe to clean up the State Lodge land allocation issue, which has been a problem for many years, and reject any attempts to allocate land improperly.
President Hichilema raised concern that some people had allocated state land at State Lodge to their friends and personal connections at the expense of the over 20 million Zambians who own that land through the Presidency.
The Head of State said this at State House in Lusaka on Tuesday after swearing in Mbewe, and former Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Sitali Alibuzwi, as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to the Federal Republic of Brazil.
He also swore in Brigadier General Wilson Tembo as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to Zimbabwe, and Mahuba Hazemba as Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to Israel.
“Those who engage in such corrupt practices will face severe consequences. They will not survive” under the current administration,” President Hichilema warned.
He urged Mbewe to clean up the entire Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and ensure land was accessible to all Zambians and address long-standing issues surrounding the shortage of titled land in the State Lodge area.
President Hichilema reaffirmed that his office would collaborate with the new Commissioner of Lands to open up new land titles, emphasizing that land belongs to all Zambians.
“There has been this long standing problem of land shortages and improper allocation, particularly with regards to state lands and titles. We need this to be sorted out. Make the citizens proud by ensuring land is accessible and managed properly,” he said.
President Hichilema expressed concern about the misuse of public land, such as Palabana land and National Council for Scientific Research land, which were meant for specific purposes.
He announced plans to work with traditional leaders to open up new land, subdivide it properly, and make it available to various types of citizens, including those interested in commercial farming.
“We need traditional traditional leaders to make land available on title and we will soon meet with them to discuss the matter,” President Hichilema stated.
Additionally, President Hichilema urged Lt. Gen. Alibuzwi to attract investment and foster partnerships in mechanization and irrigation, noting Brazil’s potential to support Zambia in areas such as capital and technology.
President Hichilema also encouraged Hazemba, the newly appointed and sworn in Zambia’s Ambassador to champion peace, security, and stability in Israel for the sake of development.
He further tasked Tembo with promoting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s strong shared heritage.
“We do not need trade tarrif between Zambia and Zimbabwe, last week i sent the Minister of Commerce to go and discuss this matter which must be resolved urgently and ensure Zambia benefits from jointly owned assets such as the mine in South Africa,” President Hichilema stated.
Meanwhile, Mbewe told journalists after being sworn in that his immediate focus would be to streamline land acquisition processes, rather than concentrating solely on title issuance.
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