Bongololo’s installation as Chikulamayembe ‘fails’

Planned installation of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe the 13th of the Tumbuka people in Rumphi failed to take place on Saturday and no date has been set for the event.

The Bongololo camp had proposed April 2 2022 for the installation and had already sent out invitation letters despite the side of Mtima Gondwe’s camp, who has been acting, making several petitions to government demanding explanation on the choice of Bongololo Gondwe.

But in an interview, a representative of Bongololo Gondwe, group village head Chikalamba Gondwe said they were told by Rumphi district commissioner (DC)Emmanuel Bulukutu that the Ministry of Local Government was yet to set a date for the ceremony.

“We were asked about the date and we had proposed April 2, but we wanted the government side to be available. But the DC came to us and said the Ministry of Local Government were yet to come up with a date on the same.

“We suspect that the issue could be due to [the absence of] President Lazarus Chakwera who was outside the country. But we are ready and looking forward to their direction,” said Chikalamba Gondwe.

Last week, during a media briefing in Mzuzu, a representative of the Mtima Gondwe camp, group village head Hunga Gondwe said government’s action on the matter was uncultural and would bring the kingdom into chaos.

He said: “We are so sure that the concerns will be addressed. In our culture, we don’t hold elections to appoint a chief, we do that simply by just consensus.”

Bulukutu could not be reached for comment yesterday, but earlier said all grievances are being channelled to relevant offices for action.