The perceived scarcity of land and the role of civic authorities in resolving land disputes: Chowa Mpanga area in Kabwe peri-urban.
There can be no meaningful development without an efficient and effective land administration system. In order to enhance national development, land should be more available for different economic ventures such as agriculture and industry. Land is the object of competition. This is because; land can be used as an economic asset, as a connection with identity and social legitimacy. Access to land is key to national development. And to the contrary failure to have access to this resource can be detrimental to development. The Zambian government currently does not have a land policy. The only document available is a draft policy which was made available in 2006. And it still remains a draft up to date. The current national discourse on land issues largely focuses on the lack of transparency in land allocation and administration on both customary and state land which affects stakeholders from subsistence farming to large investors. Land disputes are common in virtually all societies. In an ideal setting, strong institutions and transparent procedures can resolve such disputes or at least channel them into a process that minimizes their potential to foster violent disputes. However, in settings characterized by insecurity, inequality and weak or unrepresentative institutions, such grievances may be aggravated through sheer neglect or predatory and discriminatory policies. In Africa land is held in high esteem by all members of society, it is appreciated by all members of the community as it is considered the beginning of all life and development, it is sacred to the common African man. The aim of this study was to explore the role that Kabwe municipal council play in resolving land disputes. The general objective of the study was to investigate factors that lead to land disputes in peri-urban areas of Kabwe district and how civic authorities resolve these disputes. This study was a qualitative study. Thus it explored various mechanisms used in the allocation of land, what led to land disputes and the means to which these disputes are resolved.
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