By Jones Gadama
Since President Arthur Peter Mutharika named his cabinet, this publication has been reviewing the performance of ministers, scoring each out of 20.
Previous reviews have focused on Minister of Gender Mary Navicha, Dr. Ben Phiri of Local Government, Peter Mukhito of Homeland Security, Dr. George Chaponda of Foreign Affairs and Joseph Mwanamvekha of Finance.
Today the assessment turns to the Minister of Lands, Chimwemwe Chipungu, who previously served with distinction as Minister of Defence.
Chipungu’s redeployment from defence to lands was seen by many as a test of versatility.
In both ministries he has approached the job with the same energy, discipline and commitment to President Mutharika’s vision of a government that delivers tangible results to Malawians.
At the Ministry of Defence, Chipungu prioritized the welfare of men and women in uniform.
He pushed for improved housing, better working conditions and the timely provision of essential equipment.
Unlike leaders who rely solely on briefings, he made it a point to visit barracks and formations across the country to listen directly to officers and soldiers.
That accessibility helped to boost morale and strengthened confidence within the Malawi Defence Force.
He also emphasized professionalism and strict adherence to constitutional duties, ensuring the military remained focused on protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation at a time when stability was critical to government’s development agenda.
His transfer to the Ministry of Lands came with equally high expectations.
The sector has long struggled with delays in processing titles, disputes over customary land, and public frustration over access to serviced plots. Chipungu moved quickly to address the backlog.
Under his leadership the ministry began streamlining operations and digitizing aspects of land records to reduce human interface and opportunities for abuse.
He insisted on transparency in the allocation of public land and made it clear that procedures must be followed without favour, in line with the President’s call for integrity in public service.
Another key area of focus has been conflict resolution.
Rather than allow land disputes to fester in the courts, Chipungu encouraged mediation and dialogue between parties in both urban and rural areas.
This approach has eased pressure on the judiciary and helped communities find amicable solutions.
The ministry has also intensified public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on land laws, rights and the importance of documentation.
For many Malawians in high-demand districts, this has meant greater clarity and confidence when engaging government on land matters.
Chipungu has further worked to make land more accessible for housing and investment.
The ministry has identified and begun servicing more plots to respond to growing demand, a move expected to support both urban development and economic activity.
Throughout, he has maintained close supervision of departmental activities, ensuring that directives from the President are implemented and monitored.
What stands out about Chipungu is consistency. Whether managing national security or land administration, he has demonstrated the same zeal, accountability and loyalty to the President’s development blueprint.
He is regarded within government circles as a minister who does not wait to be reminded, who follows up on assignments, and who treats public resources with care.
That reliability reflects exactly the kind of leadership President Mutharika envisioned when constituting his cabinet — leaders who serve with purpose and do not disappoint the people.
From restoring morale in the Defence Force to bringing order and efficiency to the Lands Ministry, Chipungu has translated policy into action.
His work affirms President Mutharika’s judgment in appointing capable hands to drive the administration’s agenda.
For outstanding service across two demanding portfolios and for embodying the zeal and diligence that Malawians expect from public office,this publication therefore awards Chimwemwe Chipungu *20 out of 20*.
