Senior Chief Malili laid to rest, hailed

Thousands of people gathered at Chiwenga headquarters in Lilongwe on Tuesday for the burial of Senior Chief Malili who died on Friday in a road accident at Kambanizithe in Mitundu in the district.

In his eulogy, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika, who represented President Lazarus Chakwera, said the district has lost an instrumental leader in facilitating development projects.

“This is a loss to the district and the country. Senior Chief Malili was a custodian of Chewa culture in this area and was influential in promoting peaceful coexistence among people in the community,” he said.

Chomanika advised the royal family to choose the rightful heir according to Chewa tradition.

“Family members should avoid conflict because it may affect development in the area,” he said.

Lilongwe South West legislator Jean Sendeza, who is also Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, advised family members to support children of the late senior chief to further their education.

“My plea to family members is that they should make sure that the children of the late chief are not facing challenges at school,” she said

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo, Lilongwe district commissioner Lawford Palani, members of Parliament and Malawi Congress Party regional chairman Zebron Chilondola (Centre) and other traditional leaders were among those who attended the funeral service.

Senior Chief Malili, real name Luciano Chatsenda, was born in 1964.

He is survived by three wives and six children.