Minister Vuwa gives developer Ufulu Loga 7 days to demolish fence at Kauma graveyard

Minister of  Lands, Housing and Urban Development Symon Vuwa Kaunda has issued a seven day ultimatum to a developer , who encroached a graveyard at Kauma in Lilongwe,  to demolish his fence.

Vuwa Kunda issued the ultimatum on Thursday in response to complaints from Kauma residents, through Lilongwe Central Constituency legislator Alfred Jiya that the area  is facing a huge challenge of people encroaching public land.

The  Minister went to the site to get first hand information and acted promptly by ordering the demolition of the wall, expressing sadness that people have reached the extend of selling a graveyard leaving people sarnded as they are failing to bury heir dead.

“This graveyard is serving not only people from Kauma but also others from areas such as Makatani, 12, 11 and even 43 so am giving up to 7 days for developer of the fence to demolish failing which we will come and do the work ourselves,” said Vuwa.

“It doesn’t matter how he obtained it, but he is not supposed to develop the graveyard. If he leased it, we will cease it,” he said.

Vuwa also took time to reason with the residents not to take law into their hands by demolishing the structure on their own but encouraged them to be citizens that respect the laws.

The Minister visit has eased tension that engulfed the area as the locals were complaining that government was not paying attention to their situation. Thus, the visiting by the Minister has shown that this government is a caring one.

South Africa-based Ufulu Loga who owns Natty Trust which is developing the place has, however, challenged that he will not demolish the place until government gives hima formal warning in writting.

Loga said he will seek legal opinion on the matter.

Senior group village headman Kauma commended the government for its quick response after being alerted of the situation there.

“We are very excited and relieved today as this issue of graveyard grab is being put to rest and we thank the Minister of Lands for acting very promptly to our cry,” said the Chief.

In agreement with the chief’s sentiment, MP  Jiya expressed satisfaction on the response by the Minister.

” I must commend the Minister of Lands, it is only yesterday that I paid him a visit with this issue but look today he is here with us addressing the problem. This is what we want,” commended Jiya.

Kauma graveyard saga is just one of the land issues that have been hitting the headline in recent weeks but the Ministry has vowed to investigate and take action on all queries regarding land.

This is testified by recent uncovering of some “parallel lands office” where some people dealing in illegal land sale were captured and arrested.