School dragged to court over land

Village Head Kandaya of Blantyre has dragged Mpingwe Primary School to court over the land the school is constructing two teachers’ houses on.

According to court documents The Nation has seen, Kandaya argues that the school has encroached his land.

The land is behind the former Mpingwe Railways Clinic which is close to the school.

The traditional leader is claiming that the land has always belonged to him since the time the clinic closed its doors some 12 years ago. He however confessed that he did not buy the building that housed the clinic.

He however says everyone, including the community in the area, can testify that the land, where the clinic was and its surrounding, belongs to him.

Mpingwe Primary School management said they could not comment on a matter that is in court.

“All we have is the summons. We need to wait until the case commences next year,” said a teacher at the school who asked for anonymity.

The case has since been filed as civil cause number 81.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula said yesterday he needed to check with the court records.

“I need to check about the case’ but I am not in the office. Call me later if you want details,” said Mvula.

Many schools have no houses for teachers which results in many of them (teachers) renting houses that are several kilometres away. Some communities have started building teachers’ houses in order to ease the problem.