/ 19 July 2001

MALAWI DOESN’T WANT FOREIGNERS TO OWN LAND

A PROPOSED new land policy in Malawi stipulates that foreigners who own freehold land in the country have seven years to either become citizens, or forfeit their land to locals. Land minister Thengo Maloya explained that the proposed policy aimed to prevent land wars and instill investor confidence. “Malawians are no longer sleeping. They suffered during colonialism and later continued to work for foreigners on their forefathers’ land. “We don’t want foreigners owning land.” The policy would also clearly demarcate public and private land and institutionalise 6,8-million hectares of land under traditional authorities. – African Eye News Service