By Manasse Nyirenda
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Halima Daudi has disclosed that President Lazarus Chakwera is expected install new Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe on April 30, 2022.
Daudi was speaking Monday during a meeting which she held with clan heads of the Chikulamayembe royal family at Rumphi District Council offices.
“We wanted learn from the royal family members what had transpired since the president approved the name of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as an heir to the Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy following recommendation by the commission of enquiry on the issue.
“Eleven out of twelve royal family clan heads and senior are in agreement with the decision and I will report to the president so that the installation proceed as planned,” said Daudi.
She further said the government only endorses what royal family members agree on chieftaincies as it is not the governments duty to choose chiefs.
Senior Chief Mwakhunikira who was in attendance said chiefs work with government of the day to enhance development in their areas and was looking forward to the installation ceremony.
Head of Bongololo Gondwe Royal Family clan, Group Village Head Chikalamba Gondwe said Bongololo Gondwes ascendancy is in line with all procedures which guide succession in the Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy.
“With this understanding I do not expect any violence during the installation as Bongololo is the rightful heir to the throne,” said Gondwe.
Hunga Gondwe who is the spokesperson for the former Acting Paramount Chief, Mtima Gondwe said their camp will seek courts intervention tomorrow (Tuesday) over the chieftaincy wrangles.
In 2021 the royal family members sitting at Rumphi District Council chose Bongololo Gondwe as the new Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.
However, Mtima Gondwe has been protesting the nomination of Bongololo Gondwe as an heir to the throne and resulted in the establishment of a commission of enquiry by President Chakwera to resolve the issue.
Following a report from the commission of enquiry in March 2022, the president through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development communicated his approval of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe to the chieftaincy.