Deal #4433

“Chief Kanyenda gave the land to Illovo without consulting his people,” the Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers’ Union of Malawi said in a statement

These disputes center on the question of land ownership and rights of possession, as well as compensation owed for historical relocation of communities. Protests from locals who believe that some land leases were unfairly transferred to Illovo by their forefathers or local chiefs.

The community claims that Lonrho Sugar illegally included 600 hectares of community land as part of the sugar cane plantation. The dispute is on-going despite the fact that the farmers have been paid compensation by the government of Malawi. Out-grower schemes established by Dwangwa Cane Growers Limited (DCGL) forced many farmers to abandon their food crops and cultivate sugarcane on their land. Some lost their land and their field crops were destroyed. In the process of their land being redistributed to others, police threatened people’s lives as they enforced the conversion to sugarcane farming. About 537 farmers in the communities of Nkhunga and Kazilila dambo lost their land to Dwangwa Cane Growers Trust (DCGT) during the period 2006–2008. Among them, 137 families lost their crops and houses as they were destroyed by tractors hired by DCGL from Illovo.

Monetary compensation for the 600 hectares of community land lost. However an on-going battle between the community and the company persists. The community members who lost their land to the Dwangwa Cane Growers Limited (see below) have not received any compensation, despite court orders being issued stating that the communities are entitled to compensation.

Monetary compensation for the 600 hectares of community land lost. However an on-going battle between the community and the company persists. The community members who lost their land to the Dwangwa Cane Growers Limited (see below) have not received any compensation, despite court orders being issued stating that the communities are entitled to compensation.