BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-There has been altercations in Nkhotakota district following invitation of the District Commissioner to the installation ceremony of Edward Chirwa as Traditional Authority (T.A) Kanyenda by senior chief Lukwa of Kasungu scheduled on January 5, 2021.
This comes following ongoing chieftaincy wrangle between Mr Edward Chirwa who has been acting in the capacity of T.A Kanyenda since the passing of T.A Kanyenda who died in October 2016 and Joseph Issac Chirwa who claims Edward Chirwa is not the rightful heir to the throne.
According to the lawyers representing Joseph Issac Chirwa, the case which is still in court has raised some red flags if at all justice will be served following the announcement of senior Chief Lukwa that Edward Chirwa is the one to assume the office.
In his remarks, senior Chief Lukwa said the case has already been closed and Edward will continue exercising his duties as T.A Kanyenda.
However, several people in the district have disapproved the way the case has been handled and they believe corruption was involved.
Earlier this year in May, there was a meeting which was attended by chief Lukwa, Tsabango and Kombeza that was organized with the aim of appointing the T/A using the Chewa customs and the Chiefs Act as advised by the high court.
During the meeting that was also attended by the then Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Grezelder Jeffrey, three names were mentioned as prospective T/A’s.
The chieftaincy wrangle of T/A Kanyenda started 2001 and Edward Chirwa has been acting in the capacity of TA Kanyenda despite him not being the rightful heir to the throne.
The real chieftaincy of T/A Kanyenda belongs to Mkokowogona Kambura Mphaka which is being represented by Joseph Isaac Chirwa who has almost 1000 village heads starting from Nkhotakota to the boarders of Nkhata bay.
When asked to comment in the matter, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson refused to comment instead asked for more time to gather enough information on the matter.
The High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda is yet to pass the judgement on the case despite the ongoing victory celebration by Edward Chirwa’s side which has Caused great astonishment in the lawyers representing Josephy Isaac Chirwa who have questioned the possible outcomes of the case.