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.”