Government is in the process of selling a piece of land which is adjacent to State House near Kabulonga roundabout to an Asian billionaire who is offering US$13 million, sources have revealed to News Diggers.

But Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata says her ministry is not going to respond to what people say because there has been a lot of lies going on already over the matter.

Sources revealed that the Asian billionaire who is also linked to Cross Roads Shopping mall has already started erecting a tower which would be as high as Findeco building in the Central Business District.

The sources feared that allowing the said developer to erect a skyscraper that hight would pose a serious presidential security risk as the building would easily be used as a surveillance tower for monitoring State House activities.

The named developer has since moved on site to develop plot number F3779/41, Kabulonga which he bought through a public private partnership.

But Kapata said she would not respond to social media reports.

“As minister of lands I think I don’t want to react to what goes on, on social media because the news on social media is not authentic. Really I don’t want to react to social media because there is a lot of lies. I am sure you are aware even that on social media they are saying that we have auctioned the country to China and the president was just talking about it. So we are not going to react to what people say,” Kapata said.

Kapata further referred the matter to her ministry Spokesperson Diniwe Zulu who said the property number cited was not in the Ministry of Lands system.

Zulu later issued a statement stating the ministry’s concern over the increase in property developments taking place before the developers obtain relevant documentation.

“The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is concerned with the increase in property developments that are taking place before developers obtain relevant documentation. It is only after the issuance of the letter of offer, Certificate of Title and building permission granted that a developer should commence construction. This is in line with the Land Circular No. of 1985 part B No.Vii which states that “No District Council shall have authority in any case to permit, authorise or suffer to permit or authorise any intending developer to enter upon or occupy any stand unless and until such developer shall have first received the letter of offer, paid lease fees and the development charges, and has obtained planning permission from the relevant planning authority’,” Zulu stated.

She added that it was an offence to erect any building or structure in any area without prior approval of the planning authority within whose jurisdiction the land is situated

“However, we have noted with concern that the situation on the ground is different resulting in unplanned settlements and substandard buildings. With the creation of new Districts, members of the public are advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Urban and Regional Planning Act of 2015 and the Land Circular No. 1 of 1985 in order to change the development pattern. It is an offence to erect any building or structure in any area to which the Urban and Regional Planning Act of 2015 applies without the prior approval of the planning authority within whose jurisdiction the land is situated,” Zulu stated.

She further stated the ministry’s commitment to issuing certificates of title on all state land for the benefit of all Zambians.

“Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is committed to issuing Certificates of Title on all state land for the benefit of Zambians. This is in line with the Seventh National Development plan which is anchored on development without leaving anyone behind. Therefore, the Ministry would like to urge all Local Authorities country wide to submit recommendations to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for allocation and issuance of Certificates of Title. The Ministry would like to further encourage Local Authorities to take keen interest in developments in their areas to ensure that developers obtain Letters of Offer, Certificates of Title and building permission before development of plots could commerce,” stated Zulu.