The Zambian government has suspended two mayors to pave the way for an audit into land allocation that may have been done illegally.

Lusaka Mayor Miles Sampa and Christopher Kang’ombe of Kitwe town, in the Copperbelt region, have each been suspended for three months, Local Government Minister Charles Banda said at a press briefing on Monday.

All councillors serving under the mayors have also been suspended for the same period.

Mr Banda said the suspension of the two councils is meant to help in the investigation of land allocation irregularities.

“There is no sacred cow in this, we may come back soon if this persists in other councils to do the same... and correct the issues and ensure that things are done in an orderly manner,” Mr Banda said.

Mr Sampa said he had “no comment” when the BBC reached out to him while Mr Kang’ombe did not respond to a similar query.

Mr Sampa posted this picture on his Facebook page after his suspension was announced.