Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of Rumphi, Joseph Bongololo Gondwe, has spoken for the first time about the events that rocked the burial ceremony of the former Acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of the Tumbuka people, Mtima Walter Gondwe, on 1st October 2026.
Various politicians attended the ceremony, including Malawi’s Second Vice President Enoch Chihana, Cabinet Ministers, Principal Secretaries, and the Mayors of Blantyre and Mzuzu cities, among other high-profile government officials.
Tuesday’s press briefing could be a direct reaction to a publication by The Nation newspaper dated 6th October 2026, which reported that Mtima Gondwe had been reinstated as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe XIII on 30th August 2026.
”I am surprised by the events on Saturday. I urge Tumbuka people to remain united. Don’t believe the lies circulating. I am your Chief,” he said.
Ironically, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, commonly known by one of his names, Bongololo, was not present at the burial ceremony. Instead, Senior Chief Mwankhunikira spoke on behalf of all traditional leaders in the district.
Chikulamayembe’s family secretary, Jolly Gondwe, has asked politicians to stay away from the chieftaincy of the Tumbuka people.
Jolly Gondwe alleged that some politicians, including some Cabinet Ministers whose names he did not mention, are contributing to divisions within the chieftaincy and among the Tumbuka people.
”We were surprised last week to see the late Mtima Gondwe being laid to rest as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe XIII, noting that he had served only once as Acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe,” he wondered.
The Ministry of Local Government spokesperson, Chimwemwe Njoloma, is on record as saying that Mtima Gondwe was buried under such protocols because he was a former Acting Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.
”As the royal family of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, we are concerned with these reports and we will seek clarification from the authorities,” said Jolly Gondwe.
Last Thursday, scores of people witnessed the burial ceremony of Mtima Gondwe, who died at Mzuzu Central Hospital on 26th September 2026.
The royal family of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe has since announced that the Tumbuka cultural festival, Gonapamuhanya, will be held on 31st October at Bolero in the district.
