By Phales Nthambo
As the rainy season approaches, displaced families in Kasasire, under Senior Chief M’bwana, in Nkhata Bay District are living in fear as they wait for the government to decide on where they will permanently settle.
For months, the families have been living away from their homes and farmland after being displaced by a long-running land dispute involving the Malawi Defence Force (MDF).
The families say their displacement has affected their homes, farming activities and livelihoods, leaving many unsure about how they will survive if they remain in temporary shelters when the rains begin.
Kasasire Camp Manager Joshua Ngugi said the continued delay in finding a permanent solution was making life difficult for the affected families.
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Ngugi said forthcoming rains had made the situation even more serious, as some families were living in temporary conditions that may not provide enough protection from heavy rains.
He said the affected people were, therefore, looking forward to the government’s helping hand.
“We are still waiting for a permanent solution,” Ngugi said.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the Office of the Second Vice President, Maurice Munthali, has assured them that the government would announce a way forward within a week.
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Munthali was representing Second Vice President Enock Chihana, who was assigned by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to handle the Kasasire issue.
“You should keep calm, be patient and remain hopeful because the government has not been idle. It has been working to solve this problem,” Munthali said.
Munthali said the Minister of Lands was expected to announce the government’s decision within a week.
The Kasasire dispute is linked to disagreements over land and the boundaries of the MDF shooting range.
In April 2025, the Ministry of Lands engaged the Kasasire community over the boundaries of the military land.
Some residents said they had lived and cultivated in the area for many years and called on government to provide alternative land for those who would be displaced.
Nkhata Bay District Commissioner David Kayiwonanga Gondwe said the district council would continue working with other stakeholders to support the displaced families while waiting for the government’s final decision.
“We are going to continue providing support while waiting for the proposed government solution,” Gondwe said.
