PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CONCERNED ABOUT HIGH LEVELS OF VANDALISM AND ENCROACHMENT ON RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE
The Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Works and Supply has expressed concern over the rampant vandalism and encroachment on Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) infrastructure.
The Committee led by the Vice Chairperson Hon. Joel Chibuye has embarked on a tour of ZRL infrastructure from Chambishi on the Copperbelt to Livingstone with the aim of gaining insights into the company’s state of infrastructure and operations.
The Committee toured Kitwe, Chambishi and Ndola from Monday 19th May to Thursday 22nd May 2025, and called for concerted efforts in addressing the retrogressive acts and protect the railway infrastructure.
Speaking during the tour in Chambishi Town on Tuesday 20th May 2025, Hon. Chibuye said the Committee’s desire is for the country to have an improved railway system as well as having vandals and encroachers face stiffer penalties.
Hon. Chibuye also called for the strengthening of the laws that govern the railway infrastructure so as to deter would be offenders from vandalizing rail property.
The Committee continued with the second leg of the tour in the Central and Southern regions from Friday 23rd May to Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Meanwhile, ZRL Managing Director Eng. Cuthbert Malindi reiterated the need for stiffer punishment for vandals, adding that vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure materials has far reaching consequences such as accidents and costly repairs and replacement .
The Committee comprised Vice Chairperson Hon. Joel Chibuye, Hon. Sunday Chanda, Hon. Charles Mulenga, Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya, Hon. Francis Robert Kapyanga, Hon LIoyd Lubozha, Hon Emmanuel Musonda, Hon. Tasila Lungu Hon, and Hon. Bernard Kanengo.
