By Wendy Mkandawire
Minister of Lands Chimwemwe Chipungu has assured families from Kasasile in Nkhata Bay North, who were displaced by the Malawi Defence Force, MDF, in 2024 for encroaching on military land, that they will be given suitable resettlement within a week.
Speaking in Parliament, Chipungu said the affected families had settled on land belonging to MDF. He added that his ministry will engage the Ministry of Defence to agree on the best way to handle the matter.
The Minister said the government has identified Luvwili Primary School in Mzimba District as a temporary shelter and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, DODMA, will provide the displaced families with basic needs including food and water.
“As a ministry, we are looking for their permanent settlement. It could be in Mzimba or Nkhata Bay,” he said.
He said the government has given itself one week to finalize all arrangements, adding that by next Friday the families should have permanent settlement.
Chipungu further cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands, urged people seeking land to approach the Ministry of Lands and apply through proper channels
He has also warned members of the public against encroaching on land that does not belong to them in order to avoid similar incidents.
The Kasasile families were on their way to Lilongwe on foot to present their grievances before the ministry intervened and asked them to allow the matter to be resolved through the right procedures.
