The High Court of Malawi has modified its earlier order blocking access to the disputed Tichitenji Estate in Mchinji, stating that parties can now use it pending determination of former official hostess Cecilia Kadzamira’s appeal.
Presiding Judge Simeon Mdeza said in a judgement dated July 29 2026 that while the order stopping implementation of execution of his December 2025 judgement remains in force, parties to the case can now occupy and operate separate portions of the estate.
He said each party should use the separate estates that existed before they were combined.
Kadzamira. | Nation
In the case, Kadzamira and the family of the late politician Elias Zakeyo Kaphwiti Banda are fighting over ownership of Tichitenji Estate in Mchinji.
Court documents indicate that Kadzamira’s operations will remain confined to what was formerly Chalimbana Estate while the Kaphwiti Banda family, Traditional Authority Kawere and Yeriko Mateyo—the defendants in the matter—will occupy what was formerly Tichitenji Estate.
The court further directed the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to conduct a proper survey of the area to establish and demarcate boundaries between privately owned land and customary land.
The judgement comes amid simmering tensions over the disputed estate, with three security guards sustaining injuries during a confrontation at the property on Saturday.
In an interview, Tapiwa Kaphwiti Banda, daughter of the late Kaphwiti Banda, identified the injured guards as Davison Mchenga, Mphatso Mpindo and Onnex Stanzio.
She said the guards, who were working for the Kaphwiti Banda family, were attacked while conducting routine patrols on the estate.
Kaphwiti Banda said the matter was reported to police and suspects appeared before the Mchinji Magistrate’s Court on Monday for a bail application.
The ownership dispute dates back several years and culminated in a December 2025 High Court judgement in which Mdeza declared Kadzamira’s lease over Tichitenji Estate invalid and ruled that the property belongs to the family of the late Kaphwiti Banda.
Kadzamira served as founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s official hostess and confidante during his 31-year rule.
