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Bishop Malasa yearns for vigilant chiefs

Bishop Brighton Vita Malasa of the Anglican Diocese for Upper Shire (Adus) has advised traditional leaders around Malosa in Zomba to be on guard and save lives of communities in the area.

The bishop made the call following the deforestation of Malosa Mountain, the source of water supply for communities, by people who come from other areas under the guise of marriages.

Confiscated bags of charcoal at Malosa Mountain

“Over the years, we have witnessed people from different areas coming under the pretext of marriages but their intention is to invade our mountain for charcoal.

“Once they accomplish their ulterior motives they abandon our women and disappear. I urge our leaders, particularly chiefs, to be vigilant otherwise our lives will be doomed,” said Malasa when he led a tree planting exercise around Malosa Mountain.

Village head Nsoma, a representative of Senior Chief Malemia, agreed with the bishop, saying as leaders, they would want to witness Malosa Mountain forest cover is restored in the next four years.

He said the chiefs, after realising that the mountain was being destroyed by ‘strangers’, established a new by-law that requires a woman to introduce her prospective husband to the chief.

“Those who proceed with their marriage rites without the chiefs’ knowledge are summoned alongside their families for questioning,” he said. n

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