By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, February 28, Mana: Ministry of Lands says it will continue engaging stakeholders on the implementation of amended land laws amidst resistance against the intervention by some sections of the society.

The remarks were made recently in Mzuzu by the minister responsible, Deus Gumba, during a sensitization meeting on amended land laws for traditional authorities and district commissioners drawn from the north.

According to research on the implementation of national land laws conducted in December 2023 by Ungweru Organization in some parts of Mzimba, level of awareness on the laws is at 96 percent.

It also revealed that cultural practices favour male heirs when it comes to land inheritance thereby posing challenges in land distribution, hence limiting women’s access to land.

The report which is authored by Ungweru Organization also indicated that some cultural attitudes pose challenges in implementing the laws.

Gumba said engagement is a long going process which the ministry will continue undertaking, adding that the academia, traditional leaders themselves and interest groups, among others, were involved and consulted on the laws.

“Where change takes place, it takes a while for people to understand what you are trying to address and these laws are in the interest of common Malawians,” said Gumba.

Commenting on recruitment of land registrars and clerks, the minister said the registrars will be based at district council level while the clerks’ will be stationed at traditional authority level, as a way of bringing land management services closer to the people.

“These are technical officers who bridge the gap between traditional leaders in terms of understanding what the land laws are talking about,” he said.

He added that the laws, among others, highlight that only bonafide Malawians should have land and foreigners who are serious investors can also have land through Malawi Investment Trade Centre.

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the tradional leaders are excited with the amended land laws, as they will discourage sale of land to foreigners.

“Land is the most valuable resource; as such, there is need for it to be regulated and our expectations are that there will be reduced land disputes as all land parcels will be registered.

“We however advise government to enhance awareness on the laws for people to understand them well,” said Chikulamayembe.