An Asian Defy Demands To Surrender Chitipi Land To Locals

A Malawian of Asian origin, Mohammed Abdul Manani, has put the record clear that he is not intimidated and will not surrender his land at Chitipi in Lilongwe believed to have been fraudulently acquired belonging to indigenous people.

The land wrangle comes following Politician-cum-comedian Bon Kalindo’s demand on Sunday giving a week-long ultimatum to Manani to surrender the land in question to locals or face the wrath of the people.

Addressing the media at Green park farm on Monday, Manani said he will not surrender the land as it belongs to him and he has all valid papers for it.

*I bought the land in 1999 and villagers were the ones coming to me asking to buy the land from them and the Traditional leaders also witnessed and approved the sale.

“So those claiming ownership of the land now, where were they all this time? Why are they coming now to say the land is theirs after 20 years? The land is mine and I have all the valid documents which they don’t have,” said Manani.

He further stated that, the issue was taken to court and there is an injunction obtained by him which those claiming ownership of the land failed to challenge.

Manani has since told the media that he will not take any orders from Kalindo because he does not have powers to give such orders on land issues.

A group of people at Chitipi led by Alfonso Jamali is claiming ownership of the land and has since involved Kalindo to help them get their land.“`