Threats of Statutory Tenure on Customary Land in Zambia: Evidence from Chamuka Chiefdom in Chisamba District

Abstract

This chapter investigated threats of statutory tenure on customary land. The study was primarily qualitative in nature and adopted a case study approach. Using evidence from Chamuka Chiefdom in Chisamba District, Central Province, the paper concludes that there are various threats of statutory tenure on customary land. These include traditional leaders losing control over land, displacements, land disputes, investors acquire more land than what is demarcated to them by traditional leaders, traditional leaders’ not consulting their community members, corruption, and tenure insecurity. To resolve these challenges, some villages have been enumerated and mapped using the Social Tenure Domain Model. STDM is aimed at providing Customary Land Holding Certificates. However, certificates issued through the Social Tenure Domain Model are not recognised by the land laws in Zambia. In view of the foregoing, the government and traditional leaders’ should ensure that legal reforms are undertaken (for certificates issued through STDM to be recognised by the land laws); traditional leaders are equipped with knowledge and skills in land management; and zero tolerance to corruption.

Keywords

• Displacement
• Dual land governance
• Customary land
• Land tenure
• State land
• Tenure security