The high court in Mzuzu has nullified the appointment of crowned prince Mtima Gondwe as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe on the grounds that his appointment was unconstitutional, unlawful and procedurally unfair
Mtima Gondwe is the son of the late Paamount Chief Chikulamayembe.
Mtima Gondwe was installed Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in October 2019 by the then minister of local government Ben Phiri at a secret function.
Since his installation there have been disagreements between the Mtima Gondwe camp and Joseph Bongololo camp who claimed to be the right heir to the thrown.
Bongololo camp argued that according to tradition the chieftaincy is supposed to be rotational among 12 clans and not dwell on the same family as it has been the case for the past 112 years.
They further argued that since Chikulamayembe (the late) was the father of Mtima Gondwe it was their turn the (Bongololo Gondwe) to take over the mantle.
This prompted them to seek judicial review on the appointment of Mtima Gondwe.
Giving his judgement Justice Thompson Ligowe nullified the appointment of Mtima Gondwe as the Paramount Chief of the Tumbuka saying it was unconstitutional.
But the judge gave Mtima Gondwe a relief to hold the chieftaincy on acting capacity until the time when president of Malawi will appoint a rightful heir to the thrown.
Meanwhile the Mtima Gondwe camp has welcomed the judgment citing it will bring unity among them.
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