Malawi Land Minster Atupele Muluzi defends controversial customary Land bill

LILONGWE (Maravi Post)—Malawi Minister of Land and Housing Atupele Muluzi has on Thursday defended the newly controversial customary land bill which parliament passed on Wednesday saying it gives ownership of the land to Malawians.On Wednesday, the bill brought chaos in the Parliament house as opposition members were against it saying it will affect poor Malawians. The bill is demanding Malawians to pay tax on the land they inherited from their ancestors.

The bill received maximum opposition from members of opposition in parliament. Salima north Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Jessie Kabwira who is also the chairperson for women’s caucus in the house argued that Malawians cannot afford to pay tax to their ancestor land .

However, Muluzi told the press that most of the MPs and Malawians have not understood the bill touting it as the only hope for Malawi.

“I know that most of opposition members are against this bill but let me tell them that this is the only hope for poor Malawians,” said Muluzi.

According to him, the bill will let Malawians to obtain loans from the bank using their own land, a development which has never happened before.

He said “the bill has been misinterpreted but what will happen is that anyone holds the land will register free and there will be no paying tax or fees as stated by the opposition.”

Meanwhile some Malawians said the bill will contradict with the power of the traditional leaders on the customary land.