Minister of Local Government Blessings Chinsinga has bemoaned chieftaincy wrangles, saying they are rampant and derailing development in most parts of the country.

He said this on Saturday when he installed the new Traditional Authority (T/A) Thukuta of Thyolo District.

Chinsinga said he would propose the formation of a Paramount Chiefs Council to resolve succession disputes.

He said: “In some instances when a chief dies, it takes about three or five or even 10 years before a new chief is installed. This affects development, especially if it is a traditional authority.

T/A Thukuta presents a goat to Chinsinga

“That is why as the responsible minister, I am proposing the formation of a council of paramount chiefs to help resolve the disputes.”

The minister then commended T/A Thukuta’s family for identifying a successor without problems.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow chiefs, Senior Chief Thomas urged the new T/A to work with government.

“When a traditional leader is political, the chieftaincy faces problems. Recently, politicians have become interested in chieftaincy issues for their own benefit,” he said.

Thyolo South legislator Mavuto Scott (Democratic Progressive Party) called on government to help people deal with hunger.

T/A Thukuta was born Anderson Jonathan in 1964. His predecessor, John Wyson, died on March 13 2022.

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