MHC threatens legal action against Area 49 residents

Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) has threatened to take legal action against residents around its Area 49 housing project for vandalising the project site.

MHC spokesperson, Ernestina Lunguzi said the incident, which led to looting and destruction of property is criminal, adding they have involved police.

She said: “The people went for the warehouses and went away with iron sheets, wheelbarrows and other valuables apart from damaging houses. Whoever was involved in this has to be brought to book because what has happened is pure theft.”

Lunguzi said the residents had gathered close to the project site in the morning while having a meeting and soon after that, they rushed and started attacking workers on the site, simultaneously looting and damaging property.

Efforts to talk to the residents proved futile as the Nation Online crew arrived on the scene after the fracas had ended.

However, an eye-witness who asked for anonymity said the people were angry because MHC is constructing the houses on a school premises, leaving the school with little land for expansion or other school-related facilities such as a sports ground.

On the land issue, Lunguzi said MHC has all the documents of ownership of the land.

Kanengo Police Station spokesperson Esther Mkwanda, in an interview, confirmed the incident, saying police are investigating the matter.