Maravi

Munkombwe cautions Simwatachela royal family against succession wrangles

Munkombwe cautions Simwatachela royal family against succession wrangles
Written by Charles Mangwato in Mapatizya, Kalomo
Sunday, January 11, 2009 5:55:26 AM

SOUTHERN Province minister Daniel Munkombwe has advised the Simwatachela royal family to choose a successor who is educated and knowledgeable.

Speaking at the burial of chief Simwatachela on Thursday in Kalomo, Munkombwe said there was a criterion of selecting modern chiefs in order to be in tandem with the contemporary dictates.

"There is a criterion of selecting modern chiefs. You must look for certain ingredients that are necessary," he told mourners. "You don't pick any old man and say ‘you are chief’. He will be subdued by other knowledgeable chiefs."

Munkombwe said selecting a chief was not the responsibility of the government but members of the royal family.

He said the vacancy in a chiefdom should not remain for a long period because chiefs were agents of development.

Munkombwe cautioned that the succession dispute that characterised the chiefdom when chief Simwatachela passed away should not be allowed to recur due to its potential to divide and split the chiefdom.

"I have interest here. I want you, so begin identifying a suitable person," he said. "Nobody accepts that they are ignorant. It is very tempting for everyone to say I can be chief."

Munkombwe said there was a tendency by clan members and all headmen to start claiming they were the right heirs to the throne.

Munkombwe said prolonged delays to come up with a successor would pave way for infighting and divisions among clan members of the royal family.

He appealed to the traditional council to guide members of the royal family so that a new chief was appointed quickly.

"My appeal is do not delay. Find a successor quickly," he said. "You can't say we will exist without a chief," he said.

He said the government and President Rupiah Banda were devastated by the untimely death of chief Simwatachela whom he described as a unifier and development oriented.

Munkombwe said the government wanted a development agent who would not retard development in the area.

The late chief Simwatachela, 75, ascended to the throne in 2005 after retiring from government as a police officer and local court justice.

And speaking earlier, chief Sipatunyana cautioned members of the Simwatachela clan against allowing division and hatred to derail the succession process.

Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE

posted by MrK @ 5:56 AM