Residents of Area 18 in Lilongwe have finally received compensation, six years after consuming water contaminated with fecal matter in July 2017.

The 325 affected residents will share a total of K1.365 billion, with each person receiving K4.2 million.

The residents expressed their gratitude to Minister of Justice Titus Mvalo for ensuring they received compensation, as directed by the President.

Mvalo had meetings with the CEOs of Lilongwe City Council, Malawi Housing Corporation, and Lilongwe Water Board to address the issue.

Although the institutions agreed to compensate the residents, payments will be made in installments, with a final meeting scheduled for next week to discuss payment modalities.

The residents’ compensation claim had been ongoing for years, with the High Court ruling in their favor in 2019.

However, the Lilongwe City Council and Malawi Housing Corporation obtained a stay order, delaying the payment.

The residents are relieved that the President has intervened, and they have finally received justice.