MHRC to investigate Kawalazi Tea Estate alleged violations

The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has said it will investigate alleged human rights violations between Nkhata Bay-based Kawalazi Estate and community members over estate boundaries.

The development comes after Youth and Society (Yas) wrote MHRC, asking it to probe the issue.

The organisation alleges that Malawi Police Service and Kawalazi Estate Limited officials have been intimidating people.

“We are compelled to urge your office, in terms of Section 42(2b) and 130 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, read together with Section 12 of Human Rights Commission Act, to open an impartial investigation of grievous human violation by the Malawi Police Service and Kawalazi company,” the letter reads.

And, in an interview, MHRC Executive Secretary Habiba Osman said the commission will institute investigations into the matter in January next year.

“We have received the letter and we, as a commission, have agreed to handle the matter in January, considering that [people at the] commission will go on holiday this week. We might not have enough resources for the case but we are sure that, using special funding in one of our projects, the Kawalazi alleged human rights violations [issue] will be taken care of,” Osman said.

Community members have been holding demonstrations, alleging that the estate grabbed their land.

Recently, Homeland Security Minister Jean Sendeza visited the estate and asked both the estate and community members to sort out the matter amicably.