LILONGWE (Maravipost)-Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development,Chimwemwe Chipungu, has issued a strong warning to land grabbers and corrupt officials, declaring that his ministry will no longer tolerate lawlessness in land management in Lilongwe.
Speaking during a Media briefing in Lilongwe Chipungu said his ministry aimed to curb widespread corruption in Lands Ministry, where some officers are allegedly collecting money from citizens without allocating land.
He condemned the growing trend of individuals grabbing land under the guise of being members of the ruling party, stressing that Malawi does not belong to any political party but to all Malawians.
“I am the new sheriff in town. In time, I will not tolerate land grabbing in the name of party affiliation or corruption. This is uncalled for,” said Chipungu.
The minister urged Malawians to follow proper procedures by registering land through the ministry instead of bribing officials.
He warned that anyone who has illegally encroached on government or private land has been given 14 days to return the land to its rightful owners or the ministry.
Chipungu emphasized that President Peter Mutharika’s administration is not entertaining corruption in any form.
To restore sanity in land administration, he called upon the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Local Government to work closely with his ministry.
Minister of Homeland Security, Peter Mukhito, echoed Chipungu’s sentiments, condemning the lawlessness surrounding land grabbing in Lilongwe.
He warned that those who fail to surrender illegally acquired land will face arrest.
Mukhito also urged political and traditional leaders to ensure that offenders are held accountable.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government, Ben Phiri, described land as a critical resource for food production and economic survival for local communities.
He commended the Ministry of Lands for addressing the issue, noting that city assemblies fall under local government authority.
Phiri added that illegal land construction has contributed to serious transportation challenges, putting public safety at risk.
Minister of Information, Shadreck Namalomba, concurred with his fellow ministers, stating that the era of forcefully grabbing land, abusing power, and engaging in corruption is over under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.
Namalomba announced that his ministry will launch a nationwide sensitization campaign using various media platforms to educate the public on land laws and encourage citizens to report corruption.
The government’s unified stance signals a renewed commitment to enforcing the rule of law and restoring public trust in land administration across the country.