We will not be paraded by politicians—Mzimba chiefs

Ngoni chiefs in Mzimba say they will not be paraded on various media platforms or at political rallies to pledge their support for any political party.

Senior Chief Mtwalo was speaking on Saturday on behalf of M’mbelwa V and other chiefs during the tombstone unveiling of the late Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV.

Mtwalo said M’mbelwa IV was a uniting figure in the district who could not be manipulated by governing presidents.

“That’s why we have a very strong chieftaincy in Mzimba. We are not manipulated by presidents. Even now, a president cannot manipulate us. He cannot tell us what to say in public. We learnt this from our father,” he said.

Mtwalo expressed disappointment that chiefs in the country are being used by politicians to garner support for political parties.

“Chiefs are being paraded on radio stations to pledge their support for a particular political party. What kind of chiefs are these? We don’t do that,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of President Peter Mutharika, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe described the late M’mbelwa IV as an open person who would speak his mind when things were right or wrong.

“He was a pillar for Malawi. We mourn the loss of such a person. We must all thank him that he did his job the right way,” he said.

Gondwe said though Malawi lost such a pillar, there is still hope in M’mbelwa V.

“We need to learn from M’mbelwa V on how he has respected his father with the mausoleum. He has proved to be a good leader,” he said.

Born Zongendawa Jere in 1954, the Ngoni Chief was installed as Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV in February 1984 by Paramount Chief Mpezeni of Zambia at his home village of Edingeni in Mzimba.

He died in February 2013 after a bout with diabetes.  n