Zambia: Former Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine (ZCCM) employees have been given an eviction notice. 11 former employees have to vacate their houses in Chingola’s Nchanga South after they lost a court case.
As per the officials, the 11 employees have been occupying the houses for over 25 years. They were asked to vacate the property after losing a court case against Mpelembe Drilling Company.
Elizabeth Ngenda who is one of the affected ZCCM ex-miners came forward to share her story. She informed the media that her properties were thrown out by beliefs. She stated that ZCCM sold them the houses in 1997 and their title deeds have not been revoked.
Further, Ngenda said ZCCM sold those houses deducting funds from their terminal benefits which they worked for.
She said the same house she has been evicted from has been developed over the years as she has built flats within the yard.
TNgenda said it was surprising that her things were thrown out in the morning and in the afternoon it was occupied and the so called owner evicted the tenants he found occupying the flats.
She has appealed to the government and the relevant authorities to clear the issue.
“We have been left homeless, we are just squatting at the neighbour’s house when we are the rightful owners of the houses. I have all the documents and the process of purchasing was followed and all the records are there,” she said.
Meanwhile, Grace Chishimba said she worked for ZCCM for over 20 years and she has also been served with a notice of eviction.
Ms Chishimba said the government should help the families because this is a serious matter.
“We cannot just be thrown out of our own houses like we did not work for these things, we have developed these houses and we are using them to sustain ourselves, she said.
Chingola District Commissioner has expressed sympathy for the affected families and has pleaded to take the matter up with the relevant authorities.