‘Don’t create new villages’

Lilongwe district commissioner  Lawford Palani has warned traditional authorities (T/As) in the district against creating new villages and promoting subordinates to group village heads.

The warning comes a week after T/A Malili elevated group village head Ntandula to senior group level, sparking a protest from a rival clan which resulted in the death of 34-year old Chipiliro Kachika.

The incident prompted the Ministry of Local Government to issue a statement reminding traditional leaders of a ban on the creation of new villages and elevation of village heads as directed by government in 1997.

Speaking on Monday, Palani said it was not within chiefs’ powers to elevate subordinates or create new villages.

He said: “I should warn chiefs who solicit bribes from their subordinates to elevate them to principal village heads or senior group village heads.

“If we hear such stories again, we will report you to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for prosecution.”

Chewa Chiefs Forum chairperson Senior Chief Kalumbu admitted that some chiefs have ignored the 1997 ban and are instead allegedly engaged in corrupt practices to promote their subordinates.

He said: “It is unfortunate that chiefs have persistently ignored to comply with government’s directive.

“But, we are now warned and I urge my fellow chiefs to stop creating new villages and elevating subordinates.”

Central West Region Police executive committee chairperson Alex Chapondera warned that police will not spare any chief who will be involved in the creation of new villages as the tendency is a recipe for violence.

He said: “Do not think you have immunity against prosecution.

“We will arrest you if you fan violence through the creation of new villages and elevating subordinates.”