Members of Parliament yesterday lamented the impact of prolonged court orders that have prevented some local authorities from demolishing dilapidated buildings in cities, saying such delays have put lives at risk.
The discussion in Parliament in Lilongwe followed a ministerial statement by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri, who informed the House that a wall collapsed at Mapanga in Blantyre, killing three people and injuring several others.
The minister said many structures across the country fail to meet legal safety standards and stressed that government’s priority was to protect lives.
“Public infrastructure in Malawi must adhere to standards. As government, our priority is the safety of the people and we appeal to businesspeople to consider lives and safety first,” said Phiri.
The debate also revisited an injunction obtained about 15 years ago that stopped Blantyre City Council from implementing the Red Star Campaign, an initiative that sought to demolish unsafe buildings.
Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman said Parliament was ready to support efforts to address legal and regulatory obstacles that have delayed action against dangerous structures.
“Be assured that any assistance you require from Parliament will be provided,” he said.
Suleman urged the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government to seek Parliament’s support whenever necessary.
Dedza Kasina legislator Joshua Malango (Malawi Congress Party) asked why court cases affecting public safety remain unresolved for years, arguing that prolonged injunctions have contributed to preventable deaths.
“It is over a decade since Blantyre City Council was served with this injunction. Nothing is happening and lives are being lost,” he said.
Malango cited previous fatal incidents, including the Kips Restaurant accident in Blantyre in 2011 and called on the Minister of Justice to explain why such cases have remained pending.
But Nkhotakota Central MP Sylvester Ayuba (Independent), who is a lawyer, cautioned against blaming the latest tragedy solely on court orders, saying poor urban planning and weak enforcement have also allowed unsafe developments to proliferate.
He cited illegal construction along riverbanks and waterways in Lilongwe, warning that such developments could lead to future disasters if left unchecked.
In response, Suleman urged leaders to avoid assigning blame and instead work together to strengthen oversight and improve public safety.
The debate comes amid public concern over the safety of buildings and enforcement of construction standards following a series of fatal structural failures across the country.
