By Durell Namasani
In a bold move to recover millions in unpaid city rates, Blantyre City Mayor Jomo Osman, alongside the Vice Mayor, councillors, directors, and media representatives, moved to close the offices of the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) today.
The Mayor confirmed the development on social media, stating that operations at the state-owned housing body have been halted until a significant portion of the outstanding debt is settled. “Today, the Vice Mayor, councillors, directors, and media representatives, and I have taken the decision to close Malawi Housing Corporation due to outstanding debts owed to Blantyre City Council. Operations will resume once a portion of the payment is made,” Osman announced.
According to reports from the scene, the enforcement was swift and firm. Mayor Osman personally led the operation at MHC’s head offices, reportedly ordering staff to vacate the premises within just seven minutes . The debt in question is understood to be approximately K433 million in unpaid city rates, a significant sum that cripples the council’s ability to deliver services . This action aligns with the council’s recent hardline stance on revenue collection; Blantyre City is currently owed billions by various property owners, and MHC has historically been one of the major defaulters .
The Mayor’s decisive action has sparked a wave of reactions on social media. Many residents applauded his assertiveness. Phillip Benson Simkoko heaped praise on the Mayor, commenting, “Bwana Jomo when it comes to work guys out of all the mayor we have in the country uyu ndi number one this guy can work better than some of the minister we have APM apoint bwana Jomo as minister you won’t regret.”
However, others questioned the abruptness of the shutdown. A user identified as Zondwayo queried the lack of prior discussion, asking, “Why not engage in dialogue first?” This reflects the tension between the urgent need for councils to fund essential services and the preference for negotiated settlements with defaulting institutions .
The closure of MHC comes at a critical time for the corporation, which was recently ordered by the President to relocate its headquarters back to Blantyre from Lilongwe . It remains unclear how this shutdown will affect that transition or the corporation’s overall operations.
