Synod, Ngoni chiefs bad blood rages on
Bad blood continues to flow between Ngoni chiefs of Mzimba and the Livingstonia Synod secretariat with the chiefs yesterday taking a swipe at the synod for being disrespectful to the chiefs.
At the unveiling of a mausoleum of the late Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa IV, yesterday, the chiefs opted for a local presbytery representative, from Engalaweni, to preside over the event who, in turn, requested the CCAP General Assembly moderator the Reverend Timothy Nyasulu to lead them.
The move comes after an unresolved impasse over polygamy and beer drinking that started in April, when Synod general secretary Levi Nyondo attacked the chiefs publicly at a cultural event.
This is unprecedented because previously it is the CCAP secretariat that has been presiding over major Ngoni cultural events, including the funeral of the late M’mbelwa IV in 2013, the coronation of M’mbelwa V in 2014, his wedding and the annual Umthetho cultural festival.
Speaking on behalf of the chiefs and the M’mbelwa family, Senior Chief Mtwalo made reference to the wrangle with the synod over polygamy and beer drinking, and said the synod should “watch its tongue when addressing chiefs”.
“This is our land. These are our people. And now you come to our people and say polygamy and beer drinking is bad. Watch your tongue. We will not stop practising polygamy, and we will not stop beer drinking,” Mtwalo said.
He said the synod’s duty is to take people to Jesus Christ, and not resorting to personal attacks.
“In fact, some of you [Reverends] are from polygamous families. So, is polygamy for your families only?” he retorted.
Commenting about M’mbelwa IV, Mtwalo said he was a uniting figure in the district who respected both the living and the dead.
He said his legacy will live forever through the museum set up at the mausoleum.
“The reigning M’mbelwa V is following similar footsteps by respecting the departed chief through this magnificent mausoleum. He needs to be applauded,” he said.
In an interview after the function, Nysasulu said he attended the event as an individual, saying it was only at the venue that the local presbytery clergy asked him to lead the prayers
But Nyasulu could not explain why the synod secretariat shunned the event, and no one from the synod was available for comment.
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe, who represented government at the ceremony, said M’mbelwa V has set an example of how Malawians need to respect departed leaders.
Other high-profile figures at the function included Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya and former State vice-president Khumbo Kachali.
