Dzaleka : refugees lose their homes after buying controversial plots

SOS Médias Burundi

Dzaleka, August 11, 2026 — At least twenty houses have been demolished in the Dzaleka camp in Malawi, as part of an operation to combat what are considered illegal constructions. The demolitions primarily affect the New Katuza and Blantyre areas, densely populated by Congolese and Burundian refugees.

The camp administration claims it wants to put an end to uncontrolled construction at the site, which is expanding daily, even though its capacity is far exceeded. It has also suspended the allocation of new plots and the issuance of building permits.

“We obtained these plots legally”

Several refugees whose houses were destroyed, however, dispute the accusations of illegal construction. They claim to have obtained their plots of land before building their small homes.

According to them, the land was allocated to them by people they considered authorized to do so.

However, these acquisitions are not recognized by the camp administration and are not recorded in any official register.

“Some members of the camp’s management committee or even the UNHCR are taking it upon themselves to grant plots of land without any legal basis. They are disregarding internal procedures and are undoubtedly corrupt,” asserts the camp president.

He warns that those involved in these practices will also be punished according to the law.

“Those who gave us the plots don’t come to defend us.”

The refugees in question denounce what they call a “scam.”

“Those who gave us these plots are not among those who come to demolish our homes and cannot even defend us,” they lament.

Several victims acknowledge lacking the official documents normally issued to those who have obtained a building plot legally.

This lack of documentation complicates their situation and leaves families who have invested their meager resources in building their homes without any real recourse.

Accusations of corruption

A well-informed source claims that land pressure has become particularly intense in the camp due to the lack of space and the lengthening waiting list for plots.

According to this source, some people wishing to obtain land are allegedly forced to pay money to officials involved in allocating plots in order to be served before others.

The camp administration denounces these corrupt practices and believes they endanger the lives of the residents.

It calls on refugees to report those who are illegally allocating plots to them and warns that demolition operations will continue.

A camp four times over capacity

The problem of uncontrolled construction is closely linked to the overcrowding of Dzaleka.

Located in the Dowa district, the camp was designed to accommodate up to 12,000 residents. It now hosts more than 50,000 refugees, including over 11,000 Burundians, more than four times its intended capacity.

This severe overcrowding puts considerable pressure on available land, housing, and essential services. It also contributes to longer waiting lists for plots of land and, according to local sources, fosters irregular practices in their allocation.

Faced with the camp’s continued expansion, the administration indicates that the issue has been submitted to the Ministry responsible for refugees.

According to the authorities, the development of a new site is being finalized to alleviate overcrowding in Dzaleka and address the growing pressure on land.

Meanwhile, the demolitions continue, leaving several refugee families homeless and fueling accusations of corruption and mismanagement surrounding access to land plots.