Wandale uses graveyards in defense: Malawi tea estates land grab case

The case in which Peoples Land Organization (PLO) leader Vincent Wandale is being accused of land grabbing and illegally distributing to his members is expected to be back in court Friday where the accused will continue with their defense.

Since last month the case has been held at Conforzi Plantations following the request made by the prosecution team so that the Blantyre Senior Magistrate Court could appreciate how the incident happened.

And on Wednesday Wandale insisted on his innocence, citing the existence of four graveyards within the Conforzi Plantations to justify his actions.                      

Wandale and members of PLO, currently on remand, are answering to charges of Unauthorized Use of Land at Conforzi Plantations, where the incident took place.

In his defense, Wandale argued that by the fact that the four graveyards are located within Conforzi Plantations and have been used by the locals, is clearly evidence that the land belongs to them.

He said communities surrounding the plantations have been using the graveyards for about 60 years, automatically making them real owners of the land.

According to laws, Wandale further argued, one is entitled to claim land ownership if they happen to use it for 12 years.

On Monday, Wandale dragged President Peter Mutharika, chief Ngolongoliwa and the Thyolo District Commissioner into the case, claiming they influenced him to take-over the tea estate land forcibly and distribute it to the landless.

The controversial Wandale said he is ready to cease claims of the political independence of Mulanje and Thyolo if salaries for tea workers in the two districts are increased; people whose land was grabbed by tea estate owners is duly compensated and idle land is given to the landless in the two populated tea growing districts.

Chief Ngolongoliwa and the district commissioner of Thyolo said in their court evidence Wandale has no powers to distribute land under the laws of Malawi to which Wandale laughed as he said Mulanje and Thyolo districts is now one country, not part of Malawi and he is the leader.

The case will be back in court at Blantyre Senior Magistrate where the accused will continue with their defense and application for bail.