Ombudsman Orders Land Ministry to Address 20-Year Plot Application Delay
The ombudsman gave the ministry a 90-day ultimatum to compile a list of all pending land applicants.
LILONGWE, Malawi - The Office of the Ombudsman has directed the Ministry of Lands to expedite a land application from a retired civil servant who has waited nearly two decades for a plot allocation, writes Wendi Mkandawire.
Ombudsman Grace Malera said Friday that investigations revealed the ministry failed to properly handle land allocations between 2004 and 2020, violating its first-come, first-served policy.
"Every person should have equal opportunity to own a plot in this country on a first-come, first-served basis," Malera said.
"It's unfortunate that Mr. Lungu couldn't be given a plot since 2004."
Paul Lungu's application remained dormant in the system for 20 years until he filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's office in 2022.
The ombudsman gave the ministry a 90-day ultimatum to compile a list of all pending land applicants.
Lands Commissioner McRodgers Tembo said the ministry would comply with the ruling.
"We have welcomed the determination by the office of the ombudsman, and we will also apologise to Mr. Paul Lungu as directed," Tembo said.
Lungu's daughter, Mpho Bwanali, praised the ombudsman's office for completing the investigation.
"Justice has finally prevailed for my father," she said.