Court stops Malawi Housing Corporation from grabbing land
The High Court in the northern Malawi city of Mzuzu has stopped Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) from grabbing land belonging to a Nkhata Bay resident.
The resident, Force Ngwira, sought court relief after MHC issued him a notice, asking him to vacate the land at Chikale within seven days from January 16 this year.
Granting the injunction on Monday, Judge Dingiswayo Madise restrained MHC, its agents or servants from taking possession of the land or demanding that Ngwira vacate it.
“Any person who disobeys this order shall be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned or fined,” reads the order.
In an affidavit, Ngwira claimed he acquired a lease from the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Lands. The lease was for 99 years from June 1 2010; hence, he started developing the land.
“Close to the piece of land is an MHC land and beacons clearly show where the demarcation lies…I was greatly shocked to get a letter demanding that, within seven days from 16th January 2013, I vacate the land and that I grant the land to MHC. The decision was made without consulting to verify the beacons that demarcate the pieces of land,” claims Ngwira in an affidavit.
The court has since ordered that Ngwira files inter partes summons for the injunctory relief within seven days from Monday so that hearing is done within 14 days.
