Encroachers invade Sadc livestock site
Uncertainty hovers over an ambitious Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Centre for Tick-borne Disease and Vaccination Centre project at Bwemba in Lilongwe after people encroached the site.
Speaking on Tuesday during a tour of the area, Ministry of Agriculture director of animal health Patrick Chikungwa said there have been ongoing disagreements over land ownership on the site where the Sadc-funded project is located at Bwemba.
He said it was worrisome to hear from the encroachers threatening to deal with Ministry of Agriculture officials who will block them from occupying the disputed land.
Said Chikungwa: “First and foremost, this place is very important as it is specifically designed to be a centre of excellence for treating animal diseases, not only in Malawi, but also for Sadc.
“So, the land wrangles are threatening the implementation of the project.”
Deputy Minister of Lands Deus Gumba admitted that the land has been encroached.
Gumba said: “There is no way someone can just wake up and start claiming government land.
“We will, therefore, look into the matter and try to resolve it amicably so that government business is not compromised on the site
