Arson in Karonga leaves 200 people homeless: Land dispute

Some victims at police station  seeking  refuge.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Some victims at police station seeking refuge.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
One of the destroyed house
One of the destroyed house
Arson destroys house property.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
Arson destroys house property.-Photo by Tiwonge Kumwenda, Nyasa Times
House damaged
House damaged

Residents of Mwankenja Village Traditional Authority Kyungu in Malawi’s northern border district of Karonga have been left homeless after some neighbouring villages set on fire 28 houses in the village due to land dispute.

According to Karonga Police Spokesperson Enock Livasion, the police received communication on Monday night that people from villages of Mwenitete and Mwawembe have attacked Mwankenja village as the three villages are in disagreement on land ownership used for cultivation.

Livasion said apart from the 28 houses which have been completely damaged, three people were injured with two admitted at the district hospital, one was treated as an outpatient.

“It was around 7PM on Monday when we received communication from Village Headman Mwankenja that angry people from Mwenitete and Mwawembe villages have set on fire his village due to the disagreement on land ownership to the point that 28 houses are completely destroyed and three people injured in the process,” said Livasion.

Livasion identified the injured as Edward Kalambo 85, Thomas Mwangonde 33 and Magadalena Towela all from Mwankenja village.

“Apart from the damaged properties which were in the houses, these angry people have also stolen livestock such as goats, chicken and pigs,” said Livasion.

He pointed out that the police have managed to arrest 12 people suspected to be involved in the malpractice.

“So far we have arrested 12 people who will answer charges of arson but we are expected to arrest more as the investigations are still under way,” he said.

Police are still assessing the damages.

Village Headman Mwankenja blamed Traditional Authority of the area for the incident.

“This disagreement on land in my area is an outstanding issue. It started three years ago and the issue became more serious last year to the point that we took it to the T/A so that he should judge the real owner of the land. He did not make any determination till now denying people justice.”

District Director of Administration Geoffrey Mkandawire said they are yet to establish what happened.

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Jabesi
Jabesi
9 years ago

KAYA NDI INU ANGONDE KAYA M’MATI ANKHONDE NONSE NDI AWAKWITHU BASI MULIBE TCHITO INU NDI A MWAKASUNGURA ANUWO. MUDZAFA IFA YOWAWA INU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kenkkk
Kenkkk
9 years ago

I am saddened.

KONDWANI
9 years ago

KODI GALU IWE ANAKUUZAZOTI KUKARONGA KUMAPEZEKA ATUMBUKA NDANI? PAMATAKOPAKO.

go to xul bra
go to xul bra
9 years ago

Who told you people in Karonga are Tumbuka?

Your head seriously need some edu-panel beating. Be open minded and see context in whatever you say. Otherwise, its a show of ultimate dullness.

Moffat mike
9 years ago

We need God’s grace

Federalism
Federalism
9 years ago

Atumbuka tsopano. Dziphanani nokhanokha choncho. Ndiye kulibwanji mukamalamulirana anganya okhaokha? Anthu okanika inu. Atumbuka nonse amene muli kummwera kuno muzikumbukira kukamanga nyumba ku kaya. Nanga chonchi abale anu kumakhala m’zisakasa pomwe inu mungokakamira m’ma new lines mu ndirande n’kumadya ntchuwa?

piyason
piyason
9 years ago

The problem is tikuberekana kwambiri. 10 years down the line, we may be caught in a heavy crisis ie shortage of almost everything. I know this will sound useless to most of us especially the Human Rights groupings. Akapanda kukubereka bwenzi ulipo? are some of the questions. Anywhere,this is just food for thought

jupiter
jupiter
9 years ago

call them terrorists…boko haram or what ever you call innocent malawi moslems. agalu osavala inu, anyani onyera kwina nayenda.

UNDERWEAR
9 years ago

Mob justice is accepted in Malawi.killing/ damaging in the name of Mob is no a crime.Those arrested soon will be out. So if you want to kill /destroy, just organise mob as your court defence.

cheleo
9 years ago

Ngwira and mkandawire can you see now, federalism have even gone into your villages of your region. You people you behave like moslem. Boko Haram at its best.

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