BCC set to demolish houses on Mpingwe hill

Blantyre City Council (BCC) has warned that it is set to demolish all illegal settlements on Mpingwe hill.

Anthony Kasunda, BCC spokesperson issued the warning after meeting stakeholders on the issue.

Kasunda said the council will demolish houses on Mpingwe hill in Traditional Authority Machinjiri saying the hill is the national communication grid not for settlement.
He said those constructing houses on the forest reserve are wasting their resources.

Reports indicate that Village Headman Nkhukuteni illegally allocated some land on the hill to his subjects but Kasunda said land in the city belongs to the council.

“The Village Headman in question was arrested but released on bail. The other in Soche, who indulged in the malpractice, is in jail. If indeed, it is their land how can they be convicted?” asked Kasunda.

Kasunda has appealed to those want to secure land in the city to follow BCC by-laws or risk losing the acquired land.

Kasunda also said the city council will reafforest the hill to bring it to its ‘former glory’.

Mpingwe hill is among the forest reserves that attract tourists to Blantyre city.