Minister of Defence Feston Kaupa has dismissed claims that the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) is grabbing land from local communities, saying the military is only re-establishing the boundaries of land that legally belongs to it.
Kaupa made the remarks while responding to concerns raised in Parliament by Nkhatabay South legislator Emily Chinthu Phiri, who asked whether the military could release what she described as idle land to surrounding communities for farming.
Speaking to journalists after the parliamentary session, Kaupa said the land in question was acquired legally and remains essential for military operations and national security.
“The Malawi Defence Force exists to provide security and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Malawi. To do that, it requires assets, and one of those assets is land,” Kaupa said.
He explained that many of the disputed areas serve as military training grounds, which are intentionally left undeveloped, making them appear idle to surrounding communities.
According to the minister, rapid population growth and increasing demand for land have resulted in widespread encroachment onto military property, creating the misconception that the MDF is grabbing land from local residents.
“When we work with the Ministry of Lands to re-establish the boundaries, people misconstrue that as the MDF grabbing land. That is not the case. We are only re-demarcating land that already belongs to the Malawi Defence Force,” he said.
Kaupa further warned that civilians who settle or farm on military training grounds put themselves at risk because the areas may contain unexploded ordnance left behind after military exercises.
“We are doing all this for the safety of the local communities. Some of the ammunition left behind after training may still be live, and people who tamper with it risk losing their lives,” he said.
He revealed that there have been previous incidents in which people were killed after handling ammunition they believed to be harmless.
The minister appealed to communities living near military establishments to stay away from designated training areas, saying the restrictions are meant to protect lives while preserving the country’s defence infrastructure.
On compensation for land legally acquired by the military, Kaupa said the government remains committed to compensating affected communities.
He cited the Meru Garrison project in Chitipa, where the government is expected to pay about K300 million in compensation, adding that his ministry is engaging the Treasury to ensure the funds are released.
“The land was acquired legitimately in consultation with the Ministry of Lands and local leaders. What remains is for the Treasury to release the funds so that compensation can be paid,” Kaupa said.
He also confirmed that the government is processing compensation for 461 beneficiaries affected by another military land acquisition, maintaining that all acquisitions were carried out in accordance with the law.
