Police in Ndola have arrested a Ndola City Council employee and another resident for issuing a fake letter of offer and a fake change sheet, respectively.

And Katanga says police have also nabbed two computer operators in connection with the same cases.

Copperbelt police commissioner Charity Katanga told journalists at her office, Wednesday, that the two were arrested in connection with the illegal sale of plots in Ndola.

“The anti fraud unit received two cases of making false documents contrary to section 344. The first one occurred on 9 July, 2018, in which a council employee by the name of Chanda Chota, 32, an assistant committee clerk of flat number 4 Itawa extension issued a fake letter of offer relating to plot number 1152 Mushili. The offence occurred on 20 July, 2018 in which Stephen Ndelema, 35, CH 3766 Chifubu a non council employee had a fake charge sheet number 10364/35 Chifubu to John Zulu of unknown house number in Chelstone township,” Katanga said.

And Katanga said police had also nabbed two computer operators in connection with the same cases.

“However, further investigations were carried out which led to the apprehension of two more suspects identified as Brain Banda 20 and Wellington Kana 29 of 1070 Chifubu who are computer operators. The suspects are in police custody and will appear in court on Friday,” said Katanga.

Earlier in the day, Ndola Mayor Amon Chisenga said he was shocked that the Ministry of Lands could give out plots when the land agency of the local authority was on suspension.

Chisenga and his Town Clerk Wisdom Bwalya led officials to demolish structures belonging to people who had been given title by the Ministry of Lands.

He said it was wrong for the ministry and some ‘powerful’ men to have given land to foreigners when the council land agency was on suspension.

“I am tired of being sacrificed over illegal plots. But under my time, this will not be allowed. When the agency was revoked, it was the name of the mayor that was talked about. So why should some powerful men give plots and allow the Ministry of Lands to give titles? As far as the council is concerned, these are illegal plots and we are demolishing. Town clerk please call the grader and have these structures demolished,” said a fuming Chisenga.

He wondered how a foreign national can be given three plots without the approval of the council.

Chisenga said he would rather not be mayor than allowing lawlessness in the administration of land in Ndola.