Chiefs want Mutharika to reconsider decision on land laws

Traditional leaders in Blantyre under the umbrella body of Blantyre Traditional Chiefs Network (BTCN) have asked President Peter Mutharika to reverse his decision on the new land laws by calling Parliament to re-table the bill within 21 days.

This was said at a press briefing which took place at Group Village Headman Makata’s residence in the commercial city of Blantyre.

Speaking after the function, Group Village Headman Somanje who is also the Secretary General of the body blamed government for not consulting them to have a say on the new laws.

“We came to strategise on what we should do because people in our villages are against this law and us as chiefs we were not consulted and we are in total disagreement with this law that’s why we want the president to reverse his decision,” said Somanje.

He added that many Malawians are in total disagreement with the law because it seems to favor the rich while the less privileged and land owners in rural areas are the ones to suffer the most.

The event was attended by chiefs from different districts surrounding Blantyre.

When the land bills were tabled during the last sitting of Parliament, members of Parliament from the opposition side walked out of the chamber in protest and claimed that government was unwilling to consider their views.