Maravi

(NYASATIMES) Chikapa interdicted after exposing ‘corruption’ at Ministry of Lands

Chikapa interdicted after exposing ‘corruption’ at Ministry of Lands
By Nyasa Times
Published: March 22, 2010

Government has interdicted Deputy Commissioner for Lands-Legal Services Ireen Chikapa, after she played a hard ball in the scrupulous land deal where the State House has been implicated, Nyasa Times understands.

Chikapa was posted to Ministry of Labour before government interdicted her on flimsy accusations. “She only reported at Labour last week but got communication soon after about her interdiction,” said an official from the Capital Hill.

Her crime, sources say, is that she refused to give land title deeds back to Zaeer Sacrane, son of the owner of Cresta Crossroads Hotel.

The “falsely obtained” title deed was cancelled by her hence provoking Sacrane to issue threats that they are dealing with the Head of State directly and they will “sort her out”.

The land is in Area 9 and as foreigners they are not entitled to own land in Malawi under the Land Act.

Sacrane has now hired Presidential Legal Counsel Allan Ntata to represent him in the matter.

A sum of K20 million has been sounded to have exchanged hands between “the Big Kahuna” and his henchmen.

Chikapa is said to have reported the matter of the irregularity of the title deed which was cancelled after two original copies were found to have been issued.

Police probe invited Anti-Corruption Bureau but the progress has been hampered by orders from the ‘Big Kahuna’.

“The original title deeds can only be issued and kept by Lands Department or Press Properties. In this case it seems the Indian got it from Press Properties since the land was freehold,” said an informant working for Ministry of Lands who pleaded anonymity.

“The country has become hopeless in that the President himself is dealing with crooks to the detriment of the citizens who cannot acquire prime land.

“For these Indians to have an audience with the President they have to bribe the officials and then the President charges a fee of up to K5 million for a 30 minutes conversation,” said government insiders.

Minister of Lands, Prof Peter Mwanza (pictured) urged the graft-busting body to probe his ministry over corruption allegations.

“We want you to help us curb the corruption which the ministry is involved in,” Mwanza is on record to have told ACB officials.

“Corruption is a disease which has gone deep in our society. We should not pretend that there is no corruption, especially in positions of influence. This is the first time to see you at my ministry and it is possible that someone has told you about wrong things in this ministry,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, well-trained media practitioner, Eunice Chipangula, former state radio MBC boss has been transferred from Ministry of Labour to Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, as Deputy Secretary.

Labels: CORRUPTION, IREEN CHIKAPA, MINISTRY OF LANDS

posted by MrK @ 4:24 PM