Malawi govt sued for selling land to Goodall, Reserve Bank’s Nkosi
Sigh Trust, a private firm, has accused government of dubiously selling its two plots in Lilongwe to Economic Planning and Development Minister, Goodall Gondwe and deputy governor of Reserve Bank of Malawi Mary Nkosi.
According to documents filed at Blantyre High Court Commercial Division seen by Nyasa Times, the Trust through its lawyer, Ambokire Salimu, the Trust has since claimed K147 million for lost rentals, K1 billion as value of the two plots, arguing that it bought the plots in 2000 from the embassy of Germany.
“The Trust holds the Malawi government responsible for the loss of the two private plots and this letter serves as a notice of the Trust’s intention to sue the Malawi government for the value of the plots and lost rentals and interests on the same,” say court documents, which also indicate that if the Attorney General (AG) fails to satisfy the claim within the prescribed period, the Trust may proceed with the action and judgment may be pronounced against the AG.
”We are also claiming reimbursements of collection costs and costs of proceedings as well as interests based at current banking rates” said Salimu.
He added: “We have given government through the Attorney General 14 days to respond or will proceed with action and judgement may be entered against it”.
Salimu said the Trust bought the two plots located in Area 10 in 2000 from Germany Embassy and was issued with Land Certificates on January 25 2008, arguing that they have valid documents substantiating their claims.
He said his client has been prompted to commence legal battle after government leased one of its plots, Title number 10/105 which was allocated to Nkosi on May 1, 2004 while the other plot, Title number 10/50 to Goodall Edward Gondwe and Getrude Gondwe in July 2005 with their Lease Certificate issued on March 24, 2011.
The court documents revealed that Nkosi and the Gondwes started developing the plots despite the appraisal of the Trust’s interests in the land.
”The trust holds the Malawi Government responsible for the loss of the two plots and this letter serves as notice of the Trust’s intention to sue the Malawi Government for the value of the plots and lost rentals and interest on the same,” read the filed documents.
Attorney General Anthony Kamanga could not immediately comment.
