A Renowned lawyer and former Presidential Press Aide has hailed the planned establishment of a Lands and Environment Court at the High Court.
Recently, Chief Justice Mumba Malila, announced plans to establish the court to address the growing number and complexity of land and environmental disputes.
Reacting to the development, Dickson Jere explained that the new Division is expected to be a specialized one to handle matters of land and environment.
“This is a welcome move, especially since land issues have clogged the court system and take long to dispose of,” he said. “Matters of land must be resolved expeditiously.”
Mr. Jere said he hopes the proposed Court will be synchronized with the already existing Lands Tribunal, whose jurisdiction was recently enhanced.
He stated that the Lands Tribunal was initially envisioned as the “fast track” Court on land matters, but its efficiency is equally worrisome.
“This has been compounded by the fact that the members are part-time and do not sit everyday and everywhere in the country,” Mr. Jere noted.
Mr. Jere affirmed that his point about land disputes in Zambia has been twofold, emphasizing that, firstly, he believes the disputes are usually administrative and caused by a lack of proper administrative processes at different levels.
“The local authorities are major contributors, as Councillors see land as a commodity for sale for their political survival,” he said.
He further noted that the 2016 Constitutional Amendment introduced a Lands Commission, but successive governments have not operationalized it.
Mr. Jere also emphasized that most issues ending in court could be resolved administratively.
“Reforms are needed, including engagement with chiefs on traditional land,” Mr. Jere emphasized.
