Malawi government backs Madonna in land dispute

Malawi’s government has backed Madonna in a land dispute with villagers.

Villagers refused to leave, delaying work on Madonna’s $15m (€11m) girls’ school just outside Lilongwe, the capital.

Lilongwe District Commissioner Charles Kalemba told 200 villagers the government land had been handed over to Madonna. The villagers were offered other government land.

Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, who will be principal of Madonna’s school, said Madonna paid the villagers more than 16 million kwacha (around €84,000).

Headman Binson Chinkhota urged villagers to move, saying the school would benefit their children.

Amos Mkuyu said he is unhappy with the $1,500 (€1,100) he got from Madonna. But he said villagers will not be able to fight the government.