MHC demolishes houses in Area 49

Lilongwe residents in Area 49 woke up to a shock on Monday when bulldozers destroyed houses, leaving many people destitute.

Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) personnel, accompanied by armed police, destroyed the houses which they described as illegal settlements between Area 49 Gulliver and Dubai, an area popularly known as Baghdad.

Close to 300 houses, including those at foundation level, were reduced to rubble.

Police had to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to contain the angry residents.

“It was around midnight when I woke up after I heard roaring engines of bulldozers and walls collapsing …I went outside to check and saw a bulldozer coming towards my house. There was nobody to ask, so, I ran away with my wife and children,” said Banda, who has a family of five.

Banda said he only managed to rescue some clothes and kitchen utensils as he ran for dear life.

Feston Chimwala, a father of five, said some houses were set on fire.

“Police and the bulldozers arrived in our area around midnight. We were not given time or warning for us to prepare,” said Chimwala

Said Folomani Mbilimtengelenji, a married man with one child: “I am stranded. I have nowhere to sleep and nothing to feed my family for tonight.”

 He said he built his house on the land which his grandfather gave him.

As night fell, scores of families were seen loitering in the area contemplating their next move— a new home and food for the night.

People The Nation interviewed said they occupied the land around 1979.

MHC spokesperson Ernestina Yobe was not available for comment.