Is an informal settler safe from demolition when holding an occupancy license?

Due to the increase in informal settlements, displacement and demolition have become a common practice.

Displacement is a threat to stability and deprives many households of property and millions of kwacha, especially since building a 2-bedroom house roughly costs K2 million. Urbanization has become the leading cause of informality as more and more people migrate; they seek cheaper ways of accessing land.

The outskirts of Zambia have not been spared, especially provincial capitals; for instance, Chipata District of Eastern Province is fast expanding with a growth rate of 4% and a total population of 234,000.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times— ZBT, Chipata City Council Public Relations Officer Eddie Ngoma revealed that informality has risen, but the council has moved in full swing to issue occupancy licenses.

Ngoma observed that the license, though it does not guarantee full ownership, protects one from displacement and inconveniences. The license is different from a title deed, as it is durable up to 30 years, unlike a title deed, which runs up to 90 years and creates full ownership. He noted some scenarios in the past when members of the public have experienced major inconveniences without compensation.

“It’s important for members of the public to get permission from the authority before they put up a structure; there are times the authority comes to demolish, and locals end up losing the resources on that particular structure,” he added.

He further encouraged members of the public to get the occupancy license, as it can also be used to access a loan. “The council is the one with the plan for the city; if you don’t engage, you will find that where you are putting up a structure that is where the road is supposed to pass, that means that you will be inconvenienced with your resources.”