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The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) has expressed grave displeasure over the wanton encroachment and disturbance caused at the historic Ngombe Ilede Heritage Site, a protected National Monument located in Pambazana Village of Chirundu District.
NHCC Director Conservation Services, Macmillan Mudenda, expressed concern following the disturbance caused by road grading activities undertaken by the local authority within the protected heritage area without prior consultation with the Commission.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday by Ndubi Mvula, NHCC Publjc Relations Officer, Mudenda said this after receiving information from the Officer in charge of the site regarding the disturbance and visiting the site.
Mudenda mobilised a team comprising two Conservation experts from the East Central Region and immediately travelled from Lusaka to Chirundu to assess the situation, safeguard exposed artefacts and secure disturbed human skeletal remains uncovered during the grading exercise.
He said it was unfortunate that the grading works were undertaken without seeking technical guidance and clearance from the Commission, considering the sensitive and protected nature of the site.
“As a local authority, there was need to consult the Commission before undertaking any developmental works within a protected heritage area. Ngombe Ilede is one of Zambia’s most important archaeological and historical heritage sites and calls for collective responsibility in its protection and preservation for posterity,” he said.
Mudenda further stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and harmonise working relations between the local authority and the Commission in order to avoid similar incidents in future.
He reminded members of the public and the surrounding communities that it is an offence at common law to violate any human grave.
“All burial sites in Zambia dating before 1 January 1924 were protected under the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act Chapter 173 of the Laws of Zambia,” Mudenda stated.
He further cautioned the public against excavating or removing contents from burial sites and archaeological areas, stating that all archaeological sites were protected under the NHCC Act Chapter 173 of 1989 and that authority should be obtained from the Commission before undertaking any works within such areas to avoid prosecution.
Mudenda has since advised all individuals who may have encroached upon the protected area to immediately suspend any construction activities to avoid possible losses and legal consequences.
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He further engaged traditional leaders in the area and appealed for their support in safeguarding the heritage site.
“Ngombe Ilede Heritage Site remains one of Zambia’s most significant archaeological treasures, renowned for discoveries that provide important insight into the country’s ancient civilisation, trade networks and cultural history,” Mudenda said.
Meanwhile, Mudenda held discussions with Chirundu Town Council Secretary Benson Bwenje, who equally expressed concern over the unfortunate development and pledged enhanced collaboration between the Council and the Commission in protecting all heritage sites within the district, including Ngombe Ilede.
Bwenje immediately directed one of the Council’s Planning Officers to accompany the NHCC team back to the site in order to jointly assess the extent of the damage caused. The NHCC Director Conservation Services also called for increased awareness among local communities regarding the importance and protected status of the site.
He noted with concern ongoing construction activities near the protected area allegedly being undertaken by a teacher from two nearby schools, who reportedly claimed to have been allocated land within the heritage site by a local village headman.
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