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Former Chief Lands Officer Testifies to Fraudulent Land Title Deed Procurement in Zambia

Livingstone, Zambia — In a significant case of alleged land fraud, a 58-year-old former chief lands officer testified in the Livingstone Magistrate’s Court, claiming that the land title deed for Stand No. 3099 was procured through fraudulent means. The case involves Israel Mushoke, Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, and Lata Jehendra Shah, who face multiple charges of fraud and criminal trespass.

Israel Mushoke, 54, and Shah Jayendra Kumar Chihanganlal, 65, are accused of using false pretenses and fraudulent representations between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022, to induce George Susiku Sindila, the Acting Lands Officer, to sign lease number Lt-37146 for Stand No. 3099 in Livingstone. Additionally, both men are charged with criminal trespass for allegedly entering the properties of Vasanti Yogesh Chikhalya (Stand No. 2056) and Patel Mohabhai Umashabhai (Stand No. 4416) with the intent to commit an offense during the same period.

Lata Jehendra Shah, a 60-year-old businesswoman of Indian origin, is also implicated in the alleged fraudulent activities. The trio is represented by Swizt Mweemba and associates.

Testifying before Magistrate Kahoyi Mushabati, Harry Shamenda, the former chief lands officer, asserted that the signatures on the title deeds did not belong to the authorized officials at the time. Shamenda insisted that the document was fraudulently signed, pointing out that the title deed bore the seal of the Ministry of Lands but lacked the signature of George Susiku Sindila. He emphasized that the signatures were forged and that the individuals who obtained Stand No. 3099 used underhanded methods.

"The title deed for 3099 has two signatures of officers who did not sign it. The seal is from the Ministry of Lands, but it was not signed by George," Shamenda testified. He highlighted contradictions in the prosecution's case, noting that the title deed should have been signed by the registrar after proper verification, which apparently did not happen.

Ministry of Lands surveyor Morris Wamuwi, based in the Southern Province, testified that in August 2022, he was tasked with verifying the properties involved. His investigation revealed that Stand No. 3099 overlapped with properties 2056 and 4416. This physical verification confirmed that all three properties occupied the same piece of land. Wamuwi explained that 3099 was isolated due to encroachment on 2056 and was subsequently renumbered to 4416.

"We conducted a physical verification and found that Stand No. 3099 was indeed overlapping with the other two properties. We reported our findings to the surveyor general, who then reported to the police," Wamuwi said.

The trial continues as the court delves deeper into the alleged fraudulent activities surrounding the disputed land titles and the broader implications for land management and legal accountability in Zambia.

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