Malawi24 has established that Mishek Chavula, owner of SAAD Hardware, is constructing an upstairs building behind Mzimba Sanna Shop in Mzimba without the required documentation, raising serious concerns among nearby property owners and regulatory authorities.
Sources familiar with the matter allege that the project is proceeding without approved building plans or official clearance from M’mbelwa District Council. Under Malawi’s construction and physical planning laws, all building projects must obtain prior approval from the relevant local authority before commencement.
The development is reportedly affecting surrounding properties. Some residents claim that their buildings have developed cracks as a result of the ongoing works.
A nearby lodge owner is said to have lodged a formal complaint, arguing that excavation and structural activities at the site have compromised the structural integrity of his property.
Community members have also expressed concern that the structure may not meet required safety and regulatory standards.
They argue that the absence of proper approvals, technical supervision, and inspections poses potential risks to both lives and property, particularly for an upstairs structure that requires strict compliance with engineering standards.
Further allegations suggest that certain officers from the Physical Planning and Lands Departments at M’mbelwa District Council, whose identities have been withheld, may be at the centre of the controversy.
It is alleged that they were aware of the construction despite the lack of proper documentation and may have received substantial sums of money in connection with the project.
In December 2025, the Construction Industry Regulatory Authority (CIRA) reportedly issued a verbal stop order to Chavula after establishing that the upstairs construction was proceeding without the necessary documentation.
Under CIRA regulations, all construction projects in Malawi must be undertaken by a contractor registered with the Authority, supervised by a qualified and registered engineer or construction professional, display a project billboard at the construction site indicating the contractor and consultant details, and strictly comply with approved building plans and safety standards.
Sources indicate that the project allegedly lacks a registered contractor, an engineer overseeing the works, and a project billboard displayed at the site, as required by CIRA and national construction regulations.
Despite the reported stop order from CIRA, it is alleged that construction continued in defiance of the directive, raising concerns about enforcement and compliance with regulatory requirements.
In addition, M’mbelwa District Council, through its Director of Public Works, Physical Planning and Lands, Alan Chitete, is reported to have issued a separate stop order following the complaint from the nearby lodge owner.
Local councils are mandated under physical planning and building control laws to halt any development that proceeds without approved plans or poses a risk to public safety.
Construction activities at the site have since stopped. However, it remains unclear whether the council will order demolition of the structure if it is found to have been built illegally or in violation of safety standards.
Under CIRA regulations and local government building control provisions, authorities have the power to suspend, penalise, or demolish non-compliant developments.
