The government has expressed deep concern over the rising number of chieftaincy-related deaths recorded across the country this year.
Minister of Local Government Ben Malunga Phiri made the remarks on behalf of President Arthur Peter Mutharika during the funeral ceremony of the late Sub-Traditional Authority Chiponde in Mangochi.
Phiri emphasized that traditional leaders play a critical role in national development and in preserving cultural heritage.
He described Sub-T/A Chiponde as a compassionate and development-minded leader, urging the bereaved family to choose a successor who is competent and free from corruption.
Phiri further appealed to the family to ensure a smooth and dispute-free succession process, warning that disagreements over chieftaincy positions often derail community development.
The minister revealed that Malawi currently has about 17 chieftaincy disputes—situations he said could be avoided if families maintained unity and consensus during succession.
