By Alfred Chauwa
The Ministry of Lands has changed for the better in recent years, thanks to the leadership of outgoing Principal Secretary, Mr. Davie Chilonga. During his time in office, he brought order, discipline, and honesty to the ministry. His leadership restored trust in a department that had once struggled with confusion and corruption.
From the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Chilonga proved himself to be a hardworking and honest public servant. He ensured that promotions were based on merit—on performance and ability rather than political connections. Under his leadership, everyone was given a fair chance to grow, no matter their political background. He believed that public service should reward hard work and dedication to the nation.
Mr. Chilonga also took strong action against land grabbing and corruption. He stopped illegal land sales, cancelled dubious land allocations, and stood firm against powerful individuals who tried to abuse the system. His decisions were not always popular with those who benefitted from wrongdoing, but he never compromised on integrity.
Because of his tough stand on corruption, some individuals who lost their illegal privileges began to fight back, spreading false stories to tarnish his image. Many of these people were involved in selling land using fake documents or making shady deals with foreigners. Their attacks are a clear attempt to hide their own wrongdoings.
Throughout his long service in government, Mr. Chilonga has worked under different administrations and has always maintained a reputation for discipline, transparency, and fairness. He is respected by many for making the Ministry of Lands more organized and accountable.
Any allegations made against him should be viewed with caution. If the Anti-Corruption Bureau or any other independent body investigates honestly, it will find that Mr. Chilonga was not part of the problem—he was part of the solution. He took bold steps to clean up a ministry that had long been associated with corruption.
As he leaves office, Malawians should remember Mr. Chilonga as a civil servant who led with integrity and courage. He has shown that one can serve the country honestly without engaging in corruption or politics. His leadership is a model for others in the public service to follow.
In short, Mr. Davie Chilonga leaves behind a strong legacy of honesty, professionalism, and accountability. He restored sanity and respect to the Ministry of Lands and deserves to be remembered as one of the few public servants who truly worked for the good of Malawi.
