The Ministry of Lands has inaugurated the Estate Management Council, a regulatory body established under the Estate Management Act of 2024 to bring sanity, order, and professionalism to property dealings in Malawi, a significant step toward protecting the public from rampant fraud in the real estate sector.
Speaking during the council’s inaugural orientation in Salima on Friday, Minister of Lands Deus Gumba said the move marks a critical intervention in a sector long plagued by “briefcase estate agents” who operate without licenses or qualifications, often duping unsuspecting citizens, both locally and in the diaspora, out of millions of kwacha.
“The essence of this Act is to ensure that there is sanity in the land sector. Too many innocent Malawians have lost money to fraudsters posing as estate agents. Once they get the money, they vanish, leaving people helpless and without legal recourse,” said Gumba.
Gumba emphasized that the new council is mandated by Section 9 of the Act and will be equipped with a board, chairperson, and a chief executive officer to oversee real estate transactions across the country.
The council, according to Gumba, will enforce licensing requirements and ensure that only qualified professionals handle estate management matters.
“We expect this council to be proactive and restore public confidence. We will monitor its work closely and ensure that the necessary policies are implemented and followed,” Added Gumba.
Don Whayo, newly appointed Chairperson of the Estate Management Council, echoed the minister’s sentiments, assuring Malawians that the council will prioritize public protection from fraud and unregulated actors.
He acknowledged past failures in implementation of well-meaning laws but stressed that this time, the council is committed to action—not paperwork.
“This is not going to be another document gathering dust. We will make sure the law works for the benefit of all Malawians.
“Our first task is to audit everyone currently practicing estate management and verify their qualifications and licenses. We want to ensure that no one is engaging in this business without proper clearance. The public deserves to know who they can trust,” said Whayo.
The new council offers hope for justice and accountability. Its regulatory framework is expected to include, a public register of licensed agents, reporting mechanisms for victims of fraud, regular inspections and enforcement
As the Estate Management Council begins its operations, members of the public are encouraged to verify the credentials of any estate agents they work with, and to report suspected fraud.
Applications for licensing will soon open, and only those who meet professional standards will be allowed to operate.
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