By Our Reporter

LILONGWE — Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu has announced plans to release a list of ministers, senior officials and other individuals who allegedly acquired land through fraudulent or irregular means, raising fresh concerns over abuse of Malawi’s land administration system.

Chipungu made the announcement in Lilongwe while presenting findings from a land investigation launched in February this year to examine irregularities surrounding the allocation and occupation of land.

The minister said the investigation had uncovered serious weaknesses within the land administration system, including cases in which public officials allegedly obtained land without following established procedures.

He said the government would not shield individuals found to have benefited from fraudulent land transactions, regardless of their position or influence.

The planned publication of the names could potentially expose a wider network of people who have benefited from questionable land allocations and put renewed pressure on authorities to recover land obtained illegally.

Ministry officials implicated

Chipungu also disclosed that some employees within the Ministry of Lands are allegedly involved in the illegal allocation of land.

According to the minister, some officials have been allocating land to individuals without following the required procedures and have been using documents that are not recognised or properly authorised.

The revelations raise questions about internal controls within the ministry and the extent to which officials have been able to manipulate land administration processes for personal or third-party benefit.

Chipungu said the government would take action against officials found to have participated in the malpractice.

The minister’s comments suggest that the investigation is not only targeting individuals who allegedly obtained land improperly, but also officials who may have facilitated such transactions from within government institutions.

Riverbanks and protected land under threat

The investigation has also uncovered widespread encroachment on land that is considered protected or unsuitable for development.

Among the areas identified are riverbanks and other restricted zones in Lilongwe.

Chipungu specifically mentioned Area 10 and Area 47 as areas where encroachment has become a significant concern.

Construction and occupation of riverbanks and other protected areas can increase environmental risks, including flooding, erosion and degradation of water resources.

The government says it intends to confront the problem by identifying people occupying such areas and ordering them to vacate.

Tough action promised

The minister’s announcement signals a potentially significant crackdown on illegal land allocation and occupation.

For years, land administration in Malawi has faced concerns over irregular allocations, fraudulent documentation, political influence and encroachment on public and protected land.

The release of the names of politicians and officials allegedly involved could therefore become a major test of the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public land.

However, the allegations will need to be handled through proper investigative and legal processes, with affected individuals given an opportunity to respond to the findings before any conclusions of wrongdoing are treated as established facts.

The government is now expected to explain what action will follow the investigation, including whether illegally acquired land will be recovered, whether officials involved will face disciplinary or criminal proceedings, and how the ministry intends to prevent similar abuses in the future.

The controversy also places renewed focus on the integrity of Malawi’s land records and allocation systems, particularly as demand for urban land continues to rise.

If implemented fully, the promised publication of names could become one of the most consequential steps yet in exposing how land has allegedly been diverted through the country’s public administration system.

For many Malawians struggling to access legally allocated land, the central question will now be whether the government’s investigation results in concrete action—or whether the revelations end with another report and no meaningful accountability.