A HIGHRISE structure near State House has raised security eyebrows, with a diplomatic source asking: “How did the council allow the construction of such a structure?”

A multistory building is under construction near State House, a few metres from the roundabout on Kabulonga road.

The construction notice seen indicates that the project is a “proposed Kabulonga Lodge”.

But the diplomatic source disclosed that the high-rise structure near State House could compromise security at the presidential citadel.

“When you are in the last floor of this building, you can actually see the inside of State House and all these nearby houses. To me as an attaché here in Zambia, I think this is not only a security problem or risk to State House but even all these houses because once you are on top there, you can shoot and all that,” the diplomat explained and chose to remain anonymous.
“How did Lusaka City Council allow whoever is putting up this structure called Kabulonga Lodges Limited to go ahead? Ordinarily, you don’t expect to have a structure of this height in an area like here. So, who gave permission for somebody to do this ‘illegality?’ Could it be [Ministry of] Lands? Even then, it’s so wrong and let’s hear from the council, first of all.”
The source challenged city planners at the Lusaka City Council to give a “satisfying response about this security mess”.
“I think you know that the security of the President’s office or State House is an issue for every citizen, here or even in other countries. So, then my earnest concern is why do some people, whether at the Lusaka City Council or Lands, want to compromise security at the President’s office and home? This mess needs an urgent remedy, trust me!” explained the source.
“It seems some people can sell even the office of the President and home just to get a sack of dollars from some quarters. It’s just wrong and let higher authorities, as everybody says here, come in and control this.”
Lusaka town clerk Alex Mwansa said he needed to check because the local authority received a lot of correspondence.
“We have so many applications so I need to go back to the office and look at that particular one and share with you the circumstances under which permission was granted,” Mwansa said.
When contacted as requested, Mwansa said he had “sent my men to check, call me after 20 minutes”.
Phoned later, Mwansa cut the line and sent a text reading: “I’m not available at this moment. I’ll get back to you soon” but never did by press time.