Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chimwemwe Chipungu, has disclosed that no individual has so far presented documents to his ministry to justify ownership of land allegedly acquired under irrigation-related arrangements.
Chipungu revealed this in an interview with The Times on Friday, following a government ultimatum issued on January 13 to people who illegally acquired public land to surrender it to the rightful owners within 14 days or face legal action.
The ultimatum was announced during a joint press conference involving the Ministry of Homeland Security, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
The minister has since warned that individuals who illegally acquired land in Lilongwe’s Area 1, earmarked for the Agriculture Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC), and Area 46, reserved for the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), will be reported to the Ministry of Homeland Security for appropriate action.
Chipungu issued the warning after touring encroached land belonging to ADMARC in Area 1 and MBC’s Chankhandwe transmitter land in Area 46, where illegal developments were noted.
He emphasized that the government is committed to reclaiming all public land that has been unlawfully acquired, adding that due process will be followed in dealing with offenders.
Meanwhile, ADMARC Chief Executive Officer Ben Botolo said he was impressed with the swift response from the Ministry of Lands and other relevant authorities after the corporation raised a distress call over the encroachment.
Chipungu stressed that the government will not protect anyone found on the wrong side of the law, regardless of their political affiliation or position, underscoring that the law applies equally to all.
