I am still in charge—Gomani V

Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani V—born Mswati Willard Kanjedza Gomani—has dispelled media reports that he is no longer the Ngoni chief.

Speaking at his Inkosini headquarters in Ntcheu on Saturday, Gomani said he is still “very much in charge”.

Wearing a black suit, with a leopard band across his chest and a nthini on his head, he said the disgruntled group was a merely lost lot within the Ngoni culture and needed to be counselled.

“The best way forward is to speak with this group because we are still one. They simply need to be told how the chieftaincy is passed on for them to realise that they are in the wrong.

“We operate on pillars of love, peace and unity, therefore, there is no need to fight each other, but work together and preserve our culture,” the paramount chief said when addressing more than 11 amakosis and 19 impis.

The meeting, which had been called by Gomani, was meant to seek views regarding the way forward on the matter in light of recent media reports that he was no longer the Ngoni chief.

At the beginning of the meeting, most members wore solemn faces, but when the Crown Prince spoke, they loosened up and started contributing to the discussion.

One of the impis, Kandi Padambo, said people need to be told that chieftaincy is only earned through the first-born son of the chief. He said, it is only the legitimate child who has right to the throne.”

Private practice lawyer Chikumbutso Mkwamba, present at the meeting, suggested that the matter be taken to court because assuming the position of a chief is a criminal offence.

However, impi Mark Katsonga Phiri advised the warring parties to first give dialogue a chance.

“This break-away group is part of us. Why don’t we sit down with them and discuss so that we hear their grievances. If that fails, the impis can come in, and if that fails too, then let us go to court,” he said.

But conspicuously missing at the Inkosini was the Dingiswayo camp, which Gomani said had been invited for the meeting. He, actually, read out a message which the group had sent that said they would not attend the gathering.

Efforts to seek comment from key personalities in the other group, namely Titus Phillip Gomani and Dingiswayo Samson Gomani proved futile as their phones could not be reached.

Earlier in the day, the chief was accorded his royal honour as he attended a tombstone unveiling ceremony nearby,