Traditional leader demands land back

Village head Kayunga from Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga has written the Ministry of Lands to claim back 20.09 hectares he allegedly gave to National Oil Industries Limited (Noil) in 1975.

In a letter dated March 31 2021 addressed to the ministry with copies to Karonga district commissioner and Paramount Chief Kyungu, Kayunga says he wants back the land at Kambwe.

Reads the letter in part: “We would like to demand our land given to government in 1975. We gave this land which was being used by my people for farming because we were convinced by government that there would be investors who would bring companies and employ the locals.”

In an interview, Kayunga confirmed writing the letter, saying time has come for the people to repossess the land.

Our findings show that the said premises were bought by Jayesh Pramod Patel who was not readily available for comment.

We also found that the premises, which have warehouses and staff houses, have been rented out to Illovo Sugar Company.

Illovo Sugar company communications and stakeholders relations manager Olive Kawelama confirmed that they are renting the premises, but declined to give more information.

Karonga acting district commissioner David Gondwe confirmed receipt of the letter, but declined to comment, saying his office was just copied.

Minister of Lands Kezzie Msukwa said the letter has not reached his office.

But he said chiefs should understand that once customary land becomes public land, it does not revert to the community, adding that chiefs administer land on behalf of government.