National News

Court delays Red Star Campaign

Blantyre City Council (BCC) is waiting for a court determination on their Red Star Campaign aimed at demolishing substandard buildings in Blantyre and Limbe central business districts (CBDs).

In a written response yesterday, BCC public relations manager Anthony Kasunda said the campaign’s fate lies with the court, since the council contested an injunction obtained by property developers.

About 54 developers obtained an injunction in 2016 restraining the council from carrying out the campaign, leaving the city still having substandard structures not safe for use.

Some of the buildings earmarked for demolition

Failure to pull down the substandard buildings has raised concerns among residents who have questioned the council’s efforts in ensuring the CBDs have standard buildings.

But Kasunda said those not part of the injunction have been complying with the council’s recommendations.

He said: “You can testify to the fact that some structures have been pulled down and new ones are in progress.

“The public must appreciate the efforts, though not much to their expectations.”

In a separate interview yesterday, Emmanuel Nkata, a mattress vendor in Limbe, bemoaned the delay to vacate the injunction, saying the buildings pose a risk to people in the CBD.

“Besides, the city is not looking nice with substandard buildings. In this modern time, we also need modern buildings in our cities,” he said.

In February 2015, immediate past president Peter Mutharika inaugurated the Red Star Campaign that saw 161 buildings starred for demolition to make Limbe and Blantyre CBDs meet international standards.

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