Mzuzu High Court has nullified the chieftaincy of Mtima Gondwe who was Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of Rumphi District.
Presiding over the case, Judge Thomson Ligowe described the appointment of Mtima as unlawful, unconstitutional and unprocedurally unfair.
Passing the ruling, Judge Ligowe has acknowledged that Mtima will continue serving in an acting capacity while awating the country’s President to appoint another paramount chief.
The case was brought to court for judicial review by Joseph Bongololo Gondwe, who claimed to be the right heir to the chieftaincy.
In October 2019, the then Minister of Local Government Ben Phiri installed Mtima Gondwe Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe at a secret ceremony that was conducted at senior chief Mwankhunikira Headquarters in Rumphi District.
