Don’t rush chieftaincy wrangles to court—Kachikho

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR

These issues are not for the courts: Kachikho

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Anna Kachikho Friday installed a 32-year old, Helmes Moliyo Kanduku, as the new Traditional Authority Kanduku sounding a strong displeasure against royal families rushing to seek court injunctions blocking installation of appointed heirs.

Just like many other traditional authorities, Kanduku chieftaincy was riddled with injunctions and counter-injunctions because the royal families could not agree on who should ascend to the throne after the death of T/A Kanduku on September 13, 2010.

“If you, as royal families, can’t solve the disagreements on your own, engage other chiefs to intervene. Don’t rush these matters to the courts when you can amicably solve the chieftaincy wrangles among yourselves,” said Kachikho further revealing that her office is full of injunctions blocking the installation of many other chiefs countrywide.

“This is very counter-productive. This is retarding the development of this country,” the minister explained.

Kachikho also reminded the traditional leaders to desist from corrupt practices saying the law will not spare them. A recent report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) named chiefs as the second most corrupt after the police.

“I wish to appeal to our chiefs to desist from corruption and soliciting of bribes because the practice retards development,” said Kachikho adding that government will not back any traditional leader involved in the malpractice.

She further asked the newly installed chief to respect his subjects, especially by ensuring that vulnerable groups such as women enjoy their constitutional rights without hindrance.

Member of Parliament for Mwanza Central Nicholas Dausi expressed happiness with the installation saying his area needed the chief to help in facilitating and mobilizing people in development activities taking place in his area.

“No development can take place in the absence of a chief. I’m happy, therefore, that after a long battle over who is the legitimate heir to the chieftaincy, we finally have him. As a chief, you’ve a bigger role in mobilizing and initiating development activities in this area,” said Dausi.

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga, MP for Blantyre Kabula and T/A Bvumbwe were some of the dignitaries that attended the installation where they also spoiled him with monetary gifts.

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