Angry villagers in Kasungu District have demolished a Pentecostal church, claiming the church was built on Kasungu LEA Primary School land.
The villagers pulled down the Elohim Amazing Grace Pentecostal Church structure in Yasenya Village, claiming it was constructed on land belonging to Kasungu LEA Primary School and Kasungu Secondary School.
Limbikani Phiri, a resident of Yasenya Village, said the land falls under Senior Group Village Head Yasenya, who did not authorise the church to build on the site.
Senior Group Village Head Yasenya said the disputed land was allocated to the government in 1947 for the two schools.
Yasenya said the land was sold to the church by Senior Group Village Head Katchembele, despite being within Yasenya’s jurisdiction.
He said the demolition was intended to reclaim land reserved for education and ensure the schools have enough space for learners and teachers.
He added that the community had engaged various stakeholders over the matter before the demolition.
Pastor Maria Mwale of Elohim Amazing Grace Pentecostal Church said the congregation was shocked by the demolition, arguing that it had legally purchased the land from Senior Group Village Head Katchembele in 2024.
Mwale said the church paid K750,000 to Senior Group Village Head Katchembele for the land before construction of the church began.
Senior Group Village Head Katchembele admitted selling the land to the church but said he was surprised the villagers demolished the structure before holding further discussions.
He said he would find a way to assist the church following the destruction of its place of worship.
