Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have been accused of having a hand in the ongoing infighting in the royal family of Chikulamayembe.

The development comes barely a month after President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera approved the appointment of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as the 13th Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

But the Mtima Gondwe camp is against the appointment.

“We write to seek clarification and understanding of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) interest in the Chikulamayembe chieftainship succession. It is with deep concern that some senior members of your party, specifically Rev. Maurice Munthali has taken a center role in destabilizing the Nkhamanga Kingdom by unwelcomely getting involved in the on-going succession wrangle, which we find utterly unacceptable and perturbing as Nkhamanga Kingdom and Tumbuka Tribe,” said part of the statement signed by GVH Hunga the clan’s spokesman.

The clan has further alleged that on the 6th of April 2022, T/A Mwankhunikira of Rumphi District was invited to Lilongwe by Rev. Maurice Munthali with unclear agenda.

“The Senior Chief met Rev. Maurice Munthali who happens to be your party spokesperson on the 7th of April 2022 at 4:30PM at the Ministry of Local Government offices in Lilongwe at Capital Hill where Rev. Maurice Munthali was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daud and Aford Party President Enock Chihana.

“The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Rev. Maurice Munthali with the aid of Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daud and Aford Party President Enock Chihana coerced T/A Mwankhunikira to support the unlawful and unculturable ascension of GVH Bongololo to the Chikulamayembe Chieftaincy with a promise to purchase a vehicle and construct a house for the Traditional Authority, which we find very unfortunate and of great concern,” the statement says.

The trio also offered a ‘bribe’ to convince the Acting Paramount Chief Mtima Gondwe to a diplomat post, a thing the Chief rebuffed.
MCP and AFORD are yet to comment on the matter.