Council's Planning and Development Service Committee Chairperson, Councilor Morris Maziya told Zodiak Online that despite successfully reclaiming some land, on the other hand, the council is also facing challenges to reclaim other pieces of land.

"Encroachment into government land remains a problem in the district as 80% of our land was taken by unscrupulous people through dubious means," he said.

He claimed that most encroachers acquired such land through dubious deals with the aid of public officers there.

He however says the council is on a drive to reclaim the land in question hence plans to take legal action if it meets resistance from alleged encroachers.

When asked about action against public officers allegedly involved in the deals, Maziya referred us to the Human Resources Service Committee there as better placed to respond.

Chairperson for Human Resources Service Committee, Councilor Joshua Kwachera acknowledges failure to act and discipline alleged officers.

"We are yet to summon all officers implicated since a disciplinary committee to handle such issues has just been instituted," he said.

Among government land affected by the malpractice include Ntcheu Magistrate Court, the District Forestry Office, Ntcheu District Hospital, Ntcheu Market, and some public schools.