Govt fires Neno’s T/A Chekucheku

Government has dethroned Francis Magombo as Traditional Authority (T/A) Chekucheku of Neno District after being on suspension for about two years.

Director of Chiefs’ Administration in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Lawrence Makonokaya, presented the letter of dismissal to Magombo in the presence of clan leaders of the royal family on Thursday.

Makonokaya said the committee, which reviewed the allegations levelled against Magombo’s leadership by his subjects, recommended that President Peter Mutharika replaces the local leader.

“The State President has acted on recommendations from the committee which was looking into the matter after thorough investigations and consultations with relevant stakeholders.

“The family is now being asked to come up with a name of the person to take over the throne immediately,” said Makonokaya.

In 2014, residents of Chekucheku held vigils pressing for the removal of their leader. They accused Magombo of neglecting the Ngoni culture in his actions by, among other things, abusing power to grab land and appointing people  loyal to him as village heads contrary to  tradition requirements.

They also decried lack of developmental activities in their area as both government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were shunning the area opting for the other three T/As because of Chekuchekus conduct.

Neno district commissioner Memory Kaleso Monteiro said resolving the wrangle will relieve them of taking extra tasks that arose due to the absence of a traditional leader in the area.

Magombo declined to comment when asked for his reaction to the communication and his next move.

There have been efforts to unite the two groups since 2009, which involved officials from the ministry, Ngoni leaders and members of the chiefs’ council.