By Wezzie Gausi:
In the early hours of Thursday, Ministry of Lands officials demolished several buildings that were constructed without following established land acquisition procedures in Lilongwe’s Area 10 and Area 43.
The ministry has since warned that it will not tolerate lawlessness in the management and use of land.
Lands Minister Deus Gumba said the demolitions were part of a broader effort to enforce land laws and ensure that only those who follow processes acquire land.
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“This government follows the rule of law. No one is allowed to grab land and build structures without going through the right channels. If someone is on the wrong side of the law, action will be taken,” Gumba said.
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He stressed that individuals must obtain land through recognised authorities such as the Ministry of Lands, Malawi Housing Corporation, city and district councils.
He added that the government was working closely with these institutions to monitor and inspect developments regularly.
“We, as a ministry, are conducting inspections in collaboration with local councils and we continue to sensitise the public and inform them that land cannot be claimed at will,” he said.
Commenting on the matter, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira commended the government for the bold action but called for a more proactive approach.
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“This is a commendable step.
“However, the authorities must act earlier before illegal construction begins. Waiting until buildings are completed only creates more complications,” Kambwandira said.
The ministry has since deployed 38 land officers and 390 land clerks across the country to help decentralise land services and make acquisition processes more accessible to citizens at the local level.
The officials are stationed at both council offices and traditional authorities to support legal land transactions.
