allAfrica.com: Cameroon: How They Became Neighbours to the Unity Palace (Page 1 of 1)

Some years back, Faustin Mbala Kede, a mechanic in Yaounde, wanted to buy a piece of land. He contacted his aunt who told him about late Michael Tang Jean who had portions of land for sale around the Presidency of the Republic of Cameroon. At that moment, Tang was critically sick and admitted in the hospital.

According to Mbala Kede, Mr Tang's family did not even have money to pay his hospital bills and they urgently needed money. Given that Mr Tang could not speak, when Mbala Kede and his aunt arrived at the hospital, the family members present asked him the quantity of land he wanted. Mbala-Kede wanted 300 metre squares of land which the family envisaged to sell at CFA 700,000. After serious bargaining, Mbala Kede paid CFA 320,000.

On the 13th of November 2004, Mbala Kede paid in CFA 250,000 as first instalment for the land. By the time Mbala Kede was about to occupy the piece of land he had advanced for, he realised that it had been sold to another person. Mr Tang told Mbala Kede that he could compensate him with another piece of land if only he could add CFA 100,000 to what he had given. Mbala Kede did just that and was assured that the next day he will be given a document testifying that he has bought a piece of land from Mr Tang. The next day, by the time Mbala Kede arrived at the residence of Mr Tang, he learned that he was dead. Mbala Kede is one of the victims of Mr Tang and his family who had opted to sell out State land around the Unity Palace.

Mrs Toutoum Sylvain, Mrs Bele Toua, Youmdi Moun Abdou Ramani and many others at the site are all in dilemma just like Mbala Kede. They are victims of Mr Tang and his family trickery act of selling State property. They say they did not know they were doing business with a dubious fellow, who presented himself not only as a native of the land but also the successor of the land he was selling out. While most of those who have land around the area bought it from late Mr Tang, Mrs Toutoum had her deal with the nephew of Mr Tang, Noa Antoine. Mrs Toutoum says she came into contact with Noa Antoine last year, when she was told about land for sale around the Presidency. Mrs Toutoum and Noa Antoine got into agreement in which it was resolved that she was going to buy 400 metres squares of land at CFA 1.4 million. According to Mrs Toutoum, when she paid an advance of CFA 500,000, the next day, Noa contacted her saying his daughter was seriously sick. He pleaded with her to advance more money which she did. After paying close to CFA one million, Mrs Toutoum, asked Noa for a receipt which he said will be given only after she has completely paid the money. Now she realises that the land belongs to the State and not Noa Antoine.

However, Mme Veuve Balla Nee Nga Avur Marie who is also situated around the Unity Palace says she has a land title number 2308, which dates since 11 April, 1969.

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