Rumphi chiefs plan march against DC
Some chiefs in Rumphi are planning to hold demonstrations against district commissioner (DC) Lusizi Nhlane tomorrow for allegedly blocking the installation of Bellis Mkandawire as Sub-traditional Authority (S-T/A) Chisovya.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, one of the chiefs planning the march, group village head (GVH) Chiwaya Mkandawire, said the traditional leaders will hold demonstrations tomorrow to force the DC clear Bellis’ name for installation.
He said during their meeting, 19 out of 21 voted in favour of having a new person in the position and have Modeken Mkandawire step down.
Chiwaya accused the DC of blocking the installation of the S-T/A by refusing to communicate to government the name of Bellis as the rightful heir.
According to him, the DC was duly communicated to in February this year to start processing the installation of Bellis as ST/A but he has not done that.
He said the chiefs are demanding the installation of Bellis or have the DC leave Rumphi if that does not happen.
Said Chiwaya: “The DC wants to be more powerful than the royal family. So, we want to send a message that we are not happy with what he is doing. We want the community and the whole country to know that there is a big problem.”
But Nhlane said his office cannot submit to government any name for installation because the matter is in court. He said it is only after the court has ruled on who should be installed that his office can submit the name.
He said: “We have not given them a go ahead to hold demonstrations. We are actually sending them letters not to hold the demonstrations. Holding demonstrations will be contempt of court.”
On his part, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the issue at hand is very complex as there are divisions on who is to be installed.
For years, the position of ST/A Chisovya has been operating with an acting person, Modeken Mkandawire, a development that allegedly forced royal family members to come up with the name of Bellis Mkandawire to be installed as S-T/A in 2014.
