Controversy erupts over school land review at Msambeta Primary School

Lilongwe, April 16, Mana: A heated land dispute has erupted in Lilongwe's Area 44 under Traditional Authority Tsabango, where community members are strongly opposing the decision by the Lilongwe City Assembly to review the boundaries on land belonging to Msambeta Primary School.

The controversy centres on a piece of land that, according to the title deed seen by Malawi News Agency (MANA), belongs to Msambeta Primary School but Zion Christian Church and other individuals encroached the land and they are also developing on it.

It is revealed that Zion Christian Church was already allocated land in Area 17 in order to stop encroachment but they are still clinging to the land having also taken the land in Area 17.

Chiefs and residents have argued that the land was legally and rightfully designated for educational use to meet the growing demand for school infrastructure in the area and the land was previously used as market.

Speaking to MANA, block leader Gomani confirmed that the land in question was reallocated to the school after a thorough assessment of the community’s needs.

“The area was previously used as a market, but considering the pressing demand for education facilities in the area, we made the decision as chiefs in this area to allocate for the construction of Msambeta Primary School in 2007,” he said.

He further noted that the relocation of the market was done in the interest of development and that it was a community-driven initiative aimed at prioritising education for future generations.

Echoing the chief’s sentiments, the area’s councilor, Ben Chafungatila, said that the community followed all the necessary procedures including land registration, and now possess a valid title deed for the land in question.

“We have evidence of proper registration and documentation, the land belongs to the school and its purpose was clearly laid out from the beginning. This decision did not happen overnight—it was the result of a participatory process involving local leaders and the Ministry of Lands,” he said.

The School Management Committee chairperson Patson Kamphero further clarified the history of the land, stating that although it is not linked to the church, the land served as the market in the past.

“People who were trading at the market were relocated, but they were not compensated because they welcomed the development; the land now legally and morally belongs to Msambeta Primary School,” he said.

Concerns have also emerged over the church’s claim to the land. When approached for comment, one of the church’s trustees noted that, in accordance with Zion Christian Church policy, only their spokesperson in South Africa is authorized to speak on behalf of the church.

Adding to the tension, Msambeta Primary School’s headteacher Shadreck Nandolo has raised alarm over ongoing encroachments that are severely hindering the school's operations and expansion plans.

“Despite the school having the land, people are cultivating crops on it without our consent. This is not only a violation of the school’s rights but also a major setback to our development goals,” the headteacher stated.

He added that plans to construct additional classroom blocks and recreational facilities have been delayed due to the uncertainty surrounding land ownership and encroachment by community members and, now, the church.

Community members are urging the Lilongwe City Assembly to intervene and resolve the issue swiftly and justly. They say the review of the boundaries of school land undermines efforts to improve educational infrastructure and deprives children of their right to learn in a conducive environment.

Currently, Gift Nankhuni, a prominent lawyer, has said that he will provide "pro bono" services to people of Msambeta in order to safeguard the land belonging to Msambeta Primary School.