Minister of Lands, Sam Kawale, has dismissed widespread speculations that the recently amended land bills aim at taking away idle land from foreigners.

Kawale made the remarks on Monday in Lilongwe when briefing the media alongside his Information and Digitalisation counterpart Gospel Kazako.

According to the lands Minister, government will only consider the decision upon expiry of lease including if such land remains idle for two years without developing after purchasing.

He said “We had to make an amendment so that if you buy land for development purposes, you need to start developing within two years, otherwise it will be offered to other people who can be able to make developments out of it.”

Kawale has also disclosed that his ministry will by December, 2022 roll out a Land Information Management System which will allow applicants access land documentation online.

He said apart from land application and other related issues, the system will ensure equitable distribution of land as it will show who owns land and where.

“The system will do away with missing files thereby making land processes smooth and efficient,” he said.

He added that all foreigners who want to buy land must go through the Malawi Investment Trade Centre (MITC).