By Solister Mogha

Zomba, April 4, Mana: Minister of Lands Deus Gumba has urged ward councilors in the country to help in raising awareness for the new Land Act and other land related legislation.

Speaking on Thursday during a sensitization meeting with councilors and management of Zomba City Council at Sunbird Ku Chawe, Gumba said despite the passing of various pieces of land legislation, there was still huge information gap.

He therefore said councilors, as leaders in various communities, have the role of ensuring that the masses understand the new Acts and all amendments made on land issues in the country.

“The purpose of the meeting with councilors and city management is basically for them to fully understand key issues on all land related laws and assist in raising public awareness. We believe that this engagement will help in reducing land disputes and petitions on various Acts,” Gumba explained.

Apart from meeting councilors, he said his ministry already engaged all traditional chiefs on their roles and what the new Act stipulates in full.

“Just some key points on the Land Act: sale of land to non-Malawians has been prohibited unless it is for investment purposes; no person is allowed to sell vacant or undeveloped leasehold or freehold land; and no sale of customary land estates,” Gumba explained.

In addition, the new Land Act removed payment of application fees when registering customary estates unless it is an organization or body corporate.

Mayor for Zomba City, Councilor Davie Maunde, said the sensitization meeting was an eye opener and promised to assist the ministry in passing the message far and beyond.

“Issues of land are sensitive and crucial in our society and we thank the Ministry of Lands for organizing this meeting. This sensitization has equipped us with relevant information and in return, address the information gap,” he said.

The new Land Act and other amended Acts were passed in Parliament in March 2022 after protest of the first generated laws in 2016.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Lands continues to engage various stakeholders to ensure the correct information on land issues is passed to masses for proper understanding and practices.