Chief Chikulamayembe installation set for April 30

Deputy Minister of Local Government Halima Daudi has disclosed that President Lazarus Chakwera is expected install the new Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe on April 30.

She said this on Monday during a meeting of clan heads of the Chikulamayembe royal family at Rumphi District Council offices.

Daudi said: “We wanted to learn from royal family members what had transpired since the President approved the name of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as heir to the Chikulamayembe chieftaincy, following recommendation by the commission of inquiry on the issue.

“Eleven out of 12 royal family clan heads and senior chiefs are in agreement with the decision and I will report to the   President so that the installation proceeds as planned.”

Head of Bongololo Gondwe royal family clan, group village head Chikalamba Gondwe said Bongololo’s ascendancy to the throne satisfies all procedures that guide succession in the Chikulamayembe chieftaincy.

Hunga Gondwe, spokesperson for the former acting Paramount Chief Mtima Gondwe, said their camp would seek a court intervention yesterday but details on the process were sketchy by press time at noon.

In 2021, royal family members chose Bongololo Gondwe as the next Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe but Mtima Gondwe protested the nomination, a move that prompted Chakwera to set up a commission of inquiry to resolve the issue.

Following the inquiry report in March 2022, the President through the Local Government and Rural Development Ministry approved Bongololo Gondwe to the chieftaincy.