Family sues Sinohydro over alleged land grabbing, destruction of farmland

A family in Chirundu has taken Chinese firm Sinohydro Power Station to court, accusing it of illegally occupying and damaging farmland belonging to the late Edith Londoni.

In a statement of claim filed before the Lusaka High Court, Bridget Chiweshe, acting as administrator of Londoni’s estate, alleges that the company’s construction activities encroached upon her late sister’s 3.77-hectare farmland located along the Musaya River in Siangweemu Village, under Chief Sikoongo’s jurisdiction.

Londoni, who died on April 1, 2024, is described as a widow and lifelong resident of the village, where she had lived for over 50 years.

According to court documents, Sinohydro requested land from the local chiefdom in 2018 for equipment storage and works related to the Kafue Gorge project.

Land was allocated to the company directly opposite Londoni’s field, across the Musaya River.

However, the plaintiff contends that Sinohydro’s operations extended beyond the allocated site, encroaching onto Londoni’s land and damaging it by depositing gravel over the cultivated field.

At the time, the land was reportedly under active cultivation with maize and other crops, all of which were destroyed.

The company is also accused of cutting down wild fruit trees known locally as masau, which Londoni reportedly harvested and sold at Soweto Market to support her family.

Efforts by the deceased to resolve the issue amicably with the company allegedly failed.

Chiweshe claims her sister died in poverty after being deprived of both her land and primary source of income since the alleged encroachment in 2018.

The family is now seeking a court declaration affirming Londoni’s ownership of the 3.77-hectare land, compensation for the losses incurred, general damages for trespass, interest on any awarded sums, and legal costs.

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