The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has said it will not sympathize on pushing parliament to pass a new land law which would ensure all freehold land is turned into leasehold or customary.

According to CDEDI executive director, Sylvester Namiwa, despite dedicating 2022 to the struggle, but many estate owners, powerful and foreign individuals still cling to prime land for the landless Malawians, hence a resolve to push on until the needy like those in Thyolo, Mulanje and Nkhata Bay attain right to land.

On August 11 this year, Namiwa said “We want to have a piece of legislation that will address the freehold land. We no longer have anyone clinging to land in the name of freehold, all that land should be converted to leasehold. It should get back to the people.

“You may recall that, the circumstances that led to the grabbing of land in Thyolo and Mulanje were violent now and again so we are also exploring ways to push for a legal action,” he said.

Namiwa has since called on to government for enacting the Amended Land (2022) legislation which he believes, will help to ensure customary land ownership through registration.

The Ministry of Lands spokesperson, Enock Chingoni said the ministry is yet to commence the mass customary land registration due to financial constraints.

According to CDEDI, they dedicated 2022 as a year of land liberation for Malawians mainly in Mulanje, Thyolo, Nkhata Bay and other parts of the country.

Malawi Parliament amended land laws in 2016 and there is speculation that land amendment bills will also be tabled in Parliament this year.