Women forums in Traditional Authority Mwadzama in Nkhotakota District have emphasised the importance of dialogue to ensure peace and unity in communities.
On Monday, the forums embarked on hearing concerns about government’s alleged unpaid land compensations to some people following Nkhotakota District Council’s notice to evict people who built houses near the road for the construction of the M5 Road.
The eviction notice deadline is May 31 2025.
Speaking during the women’s voice for peace dialogue meeting, Mwadzama Women’s Forum member Gertrude Ng’ona said they were concerned about people, including women who were not registered accordingly and others whose compensations are overdue.
She warned that if the grievances are not addressed by May 31 2025, they will seek a court injunction to stop road construction works.
One of the concerned residents, Mary Mlambala from Ngwala Village, said she refused to get a compensation for her trees because she was offered little.
“This dialogue will help us to get compensated,” she said.
Another resident Nema Tambala from the same village claimed that officials changed plans.
“At first they said my house would not be affected but they later told me to move out,” she said.
But in a separate interview, Nkhotakota District Council estate management officer Precious Kondowe said majority of the compensation complainants violated the law by building their structures 30 metres from the white line.
“Before January 2022, we also asked residents not to build new structures along the M5 because it was the site of the road. However, people did not follow that advice and would not be paid,” he said.
Umunthu Plus communications officer Annie Kenya, whose organisation empowered the forums, said they facilitated the dialogue to ensure that women’s rights are protected
