Traditional leaders in land row with developer
‘We are thinking of also closing the other routes that connect to her place so that she may use a helicopter to get to the place’
A land dispute has erupted between some traditional leaders including some new developers and one lady developer who is accused of blocking a road that connects two villages of Kasiyafumbi and Makalani in Lilongwe.
The leaders said the road has existed since time immemorial and they found it strange that someone who has come to the area and bought land should have the courage to stop people from using the road.
Senior group village headman Makalani said yesterday that when the row first erupted, the traditional leaders around Msenza village, where the road is blocked, advised the lady developer, Isabelli Tung’ande, to leave the road alone because it is connecting the two villages.
Makalani said when their advice was not considered, Traditional Authority Njewa later backed the earlier advice but Tung’ande took the matter to court.
“It is a very old road which villagers have used ever since transporting their farm produce but the lady has blocked it.
“As traditional leaders, we are thinking of also closing the other routes that connect to her place so that she may use a helicopter to get to new place,” Makalani said.
In July 2021, Tung’ande filed in court a statement against three persons namely Alinafe Chidwala, Elizabeth Thengele and Emil, being first, second and third defendants, to stop using the road.
These are also new developers in the area. On July 28, 2021, Tung’ande filed a sworn statement verifying statements that she had submitted.
On September 2, 2021, the Lilongwe High Court ordered both parties to stop doing anything on the disputed piece of land.
“It is ordered and directed that both parties herein are hereby restrained either by themselves, his servant or agents or otherwise whosoever in any form from commencing any further development or interfering in any way with the portion of land in dispute situated at Msenza village, Traditional Authority Njewa in the district of Lilongwe until after the determination of the matter or until a further order of the court,” reads the order bearing a signature with the position of acting registrar.
In an interview yesterday, Thengele confirmed being one of the defendants in the case and added that the road is still closed.
Tung’ande was not available yesterday when we called her several times. According to Makalani, the traditional leaders and the two villages are waiting for the court to give direction on the matter.
