Thyolo council authorised to sell Nantipwiri plots

Government has authorised Thyolo District Council to sell 709 plots at Nantipwiri Estate for residential and commercial use, following years of court battles over the land.

Thyolo District Commissioner Noel Dakamau disclosed this on Tuesday during a full council meeting.

He said the plots form part of more than 1,300 created after the estate was subdivided.

Dakamau said the plots are valued between K11 million and K800 million.

He said the council expects to raise about K3 billion from the sale.

He said 50 plots would be reserved for Thyolo people living in the diaspora.

A further 200 would be set aside for future council projects, including housing for the DC and directors.

Dakamau said the prices were set by the Ministry of Lands in line with the Lands Act, and could not be altered by the council.

Senior Chief Boyd urged council members and stakeholders to focus on the development benefits from the proceeds rather than the prices, saying lowering them would deny the district resources for development projects.

The Nantipwiri land was previously used for farming by local communities, after former President Dr Joyce Banda allowed them to occupy it.

The High Court later ruled that the occupants had no legal ownership of the land beyond assurances made on a political podium.

The council says proceeds from the sale will go towards development activities in the district.