PETITION AGAINST THE RELOCATION OF OVER 2000 CHARCOAL TRADERS FROM MISISI TO KAMWALA/KABWATA SITE AND SERVICE
To:
The Managing Director
ZESCO Limited
Lusaka, Zambia
Cc:
Member of Parliament-Kabwata Constituency
Lusaka City Council-Town Clerk
Ward Councillor – Kamwala/ Ward 5
Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development
Ministry of Energy
We, the undersigned residents of Kamwala and Kabwata Site and Service, hereby express our strong opposition to the proposed relocation of over 2,000 charcoal traders from Misisi (Malasha) to our community along the ZESCO pylons.
REASONS FOR OUR PETITION
1. Lack of Consultation
No formal engagement or consultation has been done with the residents, community leadership, the ward councillor, or the Lusaka City Council. Decisions of this magnitude must include stakeholder input.
2. Public Health Risks
Relocating such a large settlement of charcoal traders poses serious public health threats, including:
High risk of Cholera outbreaks due to poor sanitation systems associated with such trading communities.
Increased exposure to water-borne diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, and diarrheal infections.
Absence of public toilets, which often leads to open defecation, making the area unsafe and unsanitary for residents.
Environmental pollution from charcoal dust and waste, which can severely compromise the health of families living near the pylons.
Our community already battles periodic health challenges, and this relocation threatens to escalate the situation.
3. Security Concerns
The security risk is The security risk is extremely alarming:
Misisi is currently struggling with a growing number of violent young thugs commonly known as “junkies.”
These groups are frequently associated with theft, assault, substance abuse, and other criminal behaviours.
Relocating them into our residential area will import the same criminal patterns that residents of Misisi have been battling for years.
Kamwala/Kabwata Site and Service already faces enough security pressures; adding this vulnerability would be catastrophic.
This move will greatly compromise the safety of homes, businesses, schools, and public spaces.
4. Importation of Residents from Another Constituency
This relocation is effectively imposing residents of Chawama Constituency (Misisi) onto Kamwala Ward 5, Kabwata Constituency.
This raises major concerns:
It violates the principles of constituency autonomy and community planning.
It unfairly burdens residents of Kamwala and Kabwata with challenges originating from another constituency.
The social pressure created by unplanned population shifts is unacceptable and risks destabilizing our community.
5. Environmental and Infrastructure Risks
Charcoal trading under ZESCO pylons is a fire hazard.
Increased activity around critical national power infrastructure also heightens operational and safety risks.
The area is not designed to accommodate a large trading community.
OUR DEMANDS
We respectfully but firmly demand:
1. Immediate suspension of the relocation plan by ZESCO.
2. Transparent engagement with all residents, leaders, and relevant authorities before any decision is made.
3. Identification of an alternative area that does not endanger residential communities or power infrastructure.
4. A formal written response addressing all community concerns.
CONCLUSION
We, the residents of Kamwala and Kabwata Site and Service, stand united in protecting our families, our security, our health, and our environment.
This relocation plan is unacceptable, unsafe, and unjust.
SIGNATURES OF RESIDENTS
No. Full Name NRC No. House/Plot No. Contact Signature
