Land governance expert Archie Mulunda has expressed concern over weak enforcement and poor coordination in land administration, which he says are fuelling illegal developments in Zambia’s urban areas.
Mr. Mulunda said individuals who illegally allocate land often do so without any mandate from local authorities, noting that councils must promptly notify the Lands Commission whenever land is legally allocated or relocated in order to prevent information gaps.
He added that many local authorities are struggling to effectively monitor the rapid growth of buildings due to limited transport and inadequate human resources.
Mr. Mulunda further observed that although councils have the legal authority to halt illegal construction at the foundation stage, enforcement is often delayed until structures are fully built, making corrective action more difficult and undermining the rule of law.
He has since called for improved coordination, timely information sharing, and strengthened enforcement capacity to curb illegal land developments and promote orderly urban growth.
