Senior Chief Malemia served his subjects well—Minister

Minister of Information and Degitisation Moses Kunkuyu has said Senior Chief Malemia of Nsanje District served his subjects well.

He said this on Saturday during the burial of the late senior chief at his Nyangodza Headquarters in the district.

Kunkuyu said Senior Chief Malemia did not abuse his power to divert relief items to deserving beneficiaries or replace names of beneficiaries in Affordable Inputs Programme.

He said: “He was humble, loving and always defending his subjects. That is why President Lazarus Chakwera appointed him as board member in different parastals.

“Let me advise the incoming chief to learn from Senior Chief Malemia.”

Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika said the late Malemia was a unifying factor in Nsanje and the Shire Valley.

Nsanje District Council chairperson Rose Makiyi said the late chief always made insightful contributions during council meetings.

Senior Chief Malemia was born Lameck Bizeck Msamange on August 24 1957 and he passed away on August 15 2023 at Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre.

During the ceremony, Senior Chief Chimombo took advantage to ask government to intervene in Mbenje chieftaincy wrangle in the district.

He said: “Senior Chief Mbenje died in 2021 and since then, wrangles have delayed the installation of a new chief.

“Chieftaincy wrangles affectes development.” 

Senior Chief Malemia  was installed as Traditional Authority in 2000 and was elevated to senior chief in 2009.

He is survived by a wife, seven children and 10 grandchildren.