Malawi parliament finally passes controversial customary land bill
Parliament on Thursday finally passed the controversial Customary Land bill after opposition demanded a fee on customary land be removed.
The passing of the Customary Land bill become the fourth and last land related bill to be passed.
Land minister Atupele Muluzi insisted there was no fee on customary land but that three is a “minimal transaction fee” for those interested to register their customary land.
After a two day heated and emotional debate which at times resulted in tempers flaring up in the House, the bill was passed.
Muluzi told reporters that most of the MPs and Malawians have not understood the bill touting it as the only hope for Malawi.
“I know that most of opposition members are against this bill but let me tell them that this is the only hope for poor Malawians,” said Muluzi.
According to him, the bill will let Malawians to obtain loans from the bank using their own land, a development which has never happened before.
He said “the bill has been misinterpreted but what will happen is that anyone holds the land will register free and there will be no paying tax or fees as stated by the opposition.”
A lot Poor Malawians will end up loosing their land to the rich and powerful.
Imagine someone with no tress able income/ seasonal income obtains a loan banking on their land. What happens if they fail to pay.
Land will be taken. Who will be buying these lands ? The rich and powerful.
This bill is taking advantage of the ignorance of the majority of us..
I wonder what’s in the small print.
Indirect land grabbing techniques.
To say the least, I like this bill. I am happy that it is passed now. Looking forward to the benefits of this bill. One more thing: The government is too slow in sensitizing its people on good policies like this bill. Please improve. You wouldn’t have problems in passing this bill at all if you had sensitized us. I like the bill because I have read and understood it. But many people including the media have not read it and it is difficult for them to tell the people the truth about this bill. That’s why they are just… Read more »
Atupele, if your office as MInister is aware that “most of the MPs and Malawians have not understood the bill”, why then not sensitize the public first before bringing it to the parliament? Why have you chosen to ignore a known fact? Pati biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii pali mingaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Even if the land is idle, banks will be giving loans . What next grabbing the land