Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika on Wednesday said harmony and tolerance must be upheld when choosing successors to chiefs in the country.

He said this in Balaka District at Bwaila Headquarters during the burial ceremony of Traditional Authority (TA) Kachenga, who died Monday at Zomba Central Hospital after succumbing to kidney and liver failure.

Chomanika said there are over 30 chieftaincy wrangles currently in courts, which he said is a worrisome development.

He said: “Chiefs are there for three things; they are responsible for development of their areas, unity and upholding culture of a particular area. Where there is no chief, people of that area are denied these things. Let us together work hand in hand in choosing successor.”

Chomanika also expressed worry over the frequent deaths of chiefs in the country, saying government has lost three just in the month of October.

Paramount Chief Kawinga described late TA Kachenga as a leader who positively helped in ending different chieftaincy wrangles that the district had been experiencing.

He therefore joined the Deputy Minister in urging the family members to be united and choose their leader in peace and harmony.

Group Village Headman Chulu, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed his disappointment with the sudden loss of their leader.

Source:Mana