Traditional Authority and Rural Land Disputes in Lusaka: Dynamics and Resolution Mechanisms

This study examines the nature of land conflicts in rural Lusaka and evaluates the role of traditional leaders in customary dispute resolution. Drawing on legal pluralism, institutional theory and social capital theory, the research investigates how institutional capacity, procedural fairness and social legitimacy shape dispute outcomes, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable groups including women, youth, and migrants. A qualitative comparative case study design was employed across two customary jurisdictions namely Chief Mpashya's area in Rufunsa District and Senior Chieftainess Nkhomeshya's area in Chongwe District. Fifteen participants comprising long-term residents, village elders, headmen and traditional leaders were purposively recruited. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, with thematic analysis identifying recurring patterns in dispute origins, procedural pathways and resolution outcomes.
The study findings are that traditional leaders serve as primary adjudicators, providing accessible, rapid and culturally legitimate remedies. However, their effectiveness is conditional upon institutional capacity, perceived legitimacy and coherence between customary and statutory frameworks. Structural vulnerabilities that persist include procedural inconsistencies, weak record-keeping, elite capture and unequal protection for women and migrants. Land market pressures, particularly proximity to Lusaka's urban center, have intensified speculative behaviour and boundary contestations, challenging customary governance capacity.
Based on the findings, the study recommends the strengthening of customary dispute resolution that requires clarifying tenure regimes, establishing standardized documentation systems, building institutional capacity through rights-sensitive training, developing formal interfaces between customary and state systems and implementing procedural safeguards to ensure equitable outcomes for all community members.

Traditional authority, land disputes, customary tenure, dispute resolution

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