Umodzi Party President John Chisi against Land bill

Umodzi Party (UP) President Professor John Chisi has pleaded with President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to not to assent to the controversial Customary Land bill, saying the bill does not have the interest of Malawians but rather has the interest of a few selected people.

Chisi said this in an interview with one of the local media house in the country.

He said forcing Malawians to pay for their ancestral inherited customary land was the worst the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government could do to Malawians.

Chisi said Malawi at the moment is passing through economic hardships and Malawians especially those from the village are feeling the pinch and it will be difficult for them to also pay tax for their own land.

Minister of Land and Housing Atupele Muluzi tabled the Customary Land bill on Wednesday and the bill was successfully passed by the house on Thursday despite protest from opposition MPs.

In defence, Muluzi said the fee is not tax but processing for only those who want to register.

Meanwhile Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are planning national wide demonstrations to force Mutharika not to assent the bill into law.