Loum demolition victims demand justice

Some inhabitants of Loum Chantier, a locality in Loum, Moungo division of the Littoral region whose houses were demolished on March 27 by an individual claiming ownership of the land on which they built their houses, have vowed justice must be served them.

Ever since their homes were destroyed they have been paying regular visit to the Mbanga court.

“We will not sit and watch someone trample over our rights by destroying our houses we built with our sweat. We will not stop visiting the court untill judges listen to us. We are homeless,” a victim said.

The disgruntled persons are victims of a land dispute involving members of the Njewa’s family. A certain Fritz after the death of their father has been claiming the land as his inheritance.

“We bought portions of this land from the family head who is of late and constructed our houses on. Recently one of the family members surfaced saying the land belongs to him, and that we were occupying it illegally. He promised to destroy them. This is the second time he has destroyed our houses.”

” When we came here we heard lands were being sold. As any other person, we bought pieces. We don’t need to know about their issues.”

“The two camps are confusing us with their squabble,” other victims said.

The destruction has not only left them homeless but also booted them into the poverty cave.

“This is also the sweat, and wealth of people crippled. How and when will they bounce back? It’s painful.”

According to the victims, they were summoned last Friday at the Mbanga court over the planned demolition move. After listening to them and favoured by the the court decision, the said man proceeded with the demolition of their houses. They decry and qualify the act as law abuse and snobbing of judicial procedures.