The Ministry of Local government has Elevated seven Chiefs in Zomba District as part of efforts to encourage effective leadership.
Through the office of the district commissioner, the ministry has promoted three Traditional Authorities (T/As) — Nkagula, M’biza, and Kumtumanje to the position of Senior Chief.
Additionally, three Sub-Traditional Authorities Namadidi, Nkapita, and Lamusi have been elevated to Traditional Authority, while Group Village Head (GVH) Kamwendo has been promoted to Sub-Traditional Authority.
Speaking during the promotion ceremony on Friday at Gymkana ground , the Zomba District Commissioner, Reinghard Chavula, advised the chiefs to respect the law and love their people in order to work together effectively on development initiatives in their areas.
She also urged the chiefs to avoid corruption, saying that bribery hinders development progress.
She added that people expect to find initial justice from the chiefs instead of traveling long distances to seek redress from the courts.
“If chiefs make their local courts just and fair, it will prevent people from facing economic burdens and will help them live peacefully,” said Reinghard Chavula.
In his remarks ,Director of Chiefs Affairs Charles Makanga said that the role of chiefs is to work in collaboration with the government, and that the Ministry of Local Government will continue promoting deserving chiefs.
He advised the chiefs to preserve cultural traditions, ensure that children in their areas attend school, and not to endorse early marriages for young girls.
“Many Chiefs were promoted way back but to hold this ceremony has been a problem, so as government we’re committed to promote Chiefs for their tramendous work for supporting development’s initiaves in the country” He said .
Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted chiefs, T/A Lamusi expressed happiness at being elevated to the position of Traditional Authority and thanked the country’s leader, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, for the promotion.
