A Lusaka businessman has sued three Patriotic Front cadres and a councillor in the Lusaka High Court, demanding for damages for illegally encroaching on his land.

Frank Mwanza, trading as Frank White Enterprise, has also sued a Mr Melu, as an illegal purchaser of the said property and currently undergoing construction works, as well as the Lusaka City Council (LCC), for leasing the said land to the cadres.

Mwanza has lamented that he has lost huge sums of money invested in the business venture because of the arrogance and rudeness of the cadres who are also using the name of the party.

In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Thursday, Mwanza, stated that after approval from Lusaka City Council, he acquired the premises along Kaunda Square Road behind Munali Secondary School, for use as a car wash for a period of three years starting from February 26, 2016.

He stated that the defendants, George Sokoni, John Silungwe, Josias Ngulube, Silvester Mulenga (councillor) and a Mr Melu, were reported to the police where they were asked to produce proof of ownership but to-date they had not done so.

Mwanza further stated that the defendants had arrogantly taken possession of the property having purportedly entered into a lease agreement with the Lusaka City Council.

“The defendants have arrogantly taken possession of the property, having purportedly entered into a lease agreement with the Lusaka City Council, which lease was made on December 29, 2017, way after my letter of offer,” read the statement of claim.

He disclosed that in 2016, he had put up pillars in readiness to fence the property meant for a car hire, but the same was demolished by the three cadres.

Mwanza further disclosed that he had tried all means to stop the three cadres from interfering with the property, but had failed due to impunity, rudeness and using the name of the PF party.

He lamented that he had lost huge sums of money that he had invested in the business venture by the arrogance of the defendants.

Mwanza is now seeking for an order declaring that the same is his bonafide property and an order that the lease agreement between the three cadres and the Lusaka City Council is null and void.

Mwanza is further seeking for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from harassment and interfering with the quiet enjoyment of the plaintiff at the property, damages for loss of use of property and any other reliefs the court may deem fit.