Rumphi chiefs petition Malawi Parliament to repeal Customary Land Act

Members of Parliament on Friday were petitioned by  chiefs  and concerned citizens from Rumphi to repeal the Customary Land Act which was passed in 2016 which they argue is bringing friction between traditional leaders and their subjects.

Last year Parliament passed four land-related bills which the President assented to in September.  They include the Customary Land Bill, the Principal Land Bill, the Land Survey Bill and the Physical Planning Bill.

Government says the land Bills are a hallmark of decentralisation as they reduce government interference over land matters since the Bills transfer powers to administer and manage land to the chiefs.

But the Rumph petitioners argued that government is trying to strip chiefs —of their powers, especially over customary land.

“If this government is a listening government, then this law should be repealed,” said Group village head Kawaza Mawe of Rumphi, who handed over the petition to chairperson of the Agricultural Committee of Parliament, Joseph Chidanti Malunga.

The chiefs said they are not in favour of the Land law they are told to pay for land as stipulated in the law under Section 20 sub-section 1.

Malunga, who is also MP for Nsanje South West, promised the chiefs that the petition will be presented to the House.

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