Matambo Takes Action Against Illegal Land Deals Amid Chiefdom Succession Conflicts in Copperbelt

Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo has instructed local councils in the province to halt the allocation of customary land or its conversion to titled land in chiefdoms that are currently experiencing succession disputes.

This move follows concerns from the Lamba-Lima Royal Establishment about unauthorized land allocations in contested areas, such as the Fungulwe Chiefdom in Lufwanyama District.

Minister Matambo cautioned that the government will detain anyone involved in illegal land dealings, emphasizing that these actions are against the law and detrimental to community stability.

He also noted that the ongoing disputes over chiefdom succession are obstructing the advancement of crucial development projects, particularly those funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The Minister made these remarks during the 2025 Kwilimuna Traditional Ceremony of the Bulima people in Mpongwe District, reaffirming the government’s dedication to land governance and resolving traditional authority conflicts in Copperbelt Province.