Cdedi to hold demonstrations over land issues
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is planning to hold demonstrations in Mulanje and Thyolo this Thursday over land issues.
Addressing the media in Blantyre on Tuesday, Cdedi executive director Sylvester Namiwa said they seek to bring to the attention of authorities, the land challenges people of the two districts are facing.
They demand that all the land belonging to estate owners in Mulanje and Thyolo should be given back to indigenous Malawians, they want the people of Mulanje and Thyolo to attain ownership of estates and compensation from the British government on the people for the suffering their ancestors went through during the land invasion.
Namiwa further bemoaned police brutality on those fighting for land rights in the two districts.
“We urge the police to immediately stop unwarranted arrests, assault and victimization of the citizens, we are already taking the matter to court,” he said.
The demonstrations will be held in collaboration with the People’s Land Organizations (PLO), a grouping that fights for land rights in the two districts.
Both PLO secretary Precious Lester and Publicist Chakwana Chisulo highlighted the need for authorities to treat the land challenge in Mulanje and Thyolo with urgency.
“We have been in talks with various government officials for years but this problem remains unresolved.
“We are ready for the demonstrations, we want our land back, we want President Lazarus Chakwera to intervene,” said Chisulo.
According to Namiwa, Cdedi has already written councils for the two districts notifying them of the plan to demonstrate.
