Govt warns on Chieftaincy wrangles
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has issued a warning against the establishment of titles and kingdoms for any group within the country, stating that such actions threaten national unity.
In a statement authored by Reverend Moses Chimphepo, the Secretary for Local Government, the ministry emphasizes that it is illegal for any individual or organization to claim or acknowledge a kingdom or kingship in the Republic of Malawi.
Chimphepo highlighted in the statement that Malawi is a unitary sovereign state, and the Chiefs Act does not contain any provisions for the creation or recognition of traditional leaders as rulers of independent kingdoms within the nation.
This clarification comes in response to increasing discussions and debates where certain groups are pursuing recognition as kingdoms within the Republic of Malawi.
The Mzimba Heritage Association (MZIHA), among others, has been advocating for Mzimba District, a stronghold of the Ngoni people, to be acknowledged as a kingdom, and for Inkosi ya Makhosi Mmbelwa V to be recognized as King, referencing the 1901 agreement with colonial authorities.
