Anger is brewing among chiefs under Senior Chief Njolomole in Ntcheu District, with some accusing the senior traditional leader of forcing them to make cash contributions under what they describe as a controversial collection exercise that could potentially rake in more than K15 million.
The concerned chiefs, who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said that Senior Chief Njolomole recently ordered all Group Village Heads and elders involved in village court hearings to each provide one chicken, estimated at K12,000.
“Three of my assistants and I, have already handed over our K50,000. We are shocked because this never happened during the reign of his grandfather or his father. When we questioned it, he became angry. Most chiefs are simply paying because they are afraid to ask what the money is really for,” said the chief.
According to the traditional leaders, the area has more than 300 Group Village Heads, a figure that could translate into collections exceeding K15 million, considering that each Group Village Head is reportedly contributing alongside an average of three assistants.
The chiefs further complained that, besides the money being collected for the village court visits, they are also being asked to contribute K25,000 and a bag of maize each towards the annual Mhlangano cultural ceremony.
“They tell us the contributions are for the Mhlangano ceremony, but every year we attend and return hungry,” another chief alleged.
However, Senior Chief Njolomole has defended the collections, saying the money is meant to support his transport and logistical needs as he tours village courts across his area to assess how cases are being handled.
He said the visits were necessary following complaints from communities that some village courts were operating without enough elders and assistants during hearings.
Njolomole also accused some subordinate chiefs of failing to competently handle cases, saying some matters that should have ended at the Group Village Head level were unnecessarily being escalated to his office and even to Inkosi Gomani V.
“Many people have been complaining that when cases are being heard, the Village Headman handles them alone without assistants. We want to inspect the courts and teach them how cases should properly be conducted,” said Njolomole.
The senior chief said the exercise requires fuel and other resources, arguing that it was reasonable for chiefs to support the initiative.
“I leave my own duties at home, and everyone knows how difficult it is these days to get fuel. So should I just go there without even being given a chicken?” he asked.
He dismissed the complaints as personal attacks from chiefs who dislike him, adding that similar practices are also being carried out by other senior chiefs in the district.
The senior chief further challenged those unhappy with the arrangement to formally report the matter to Inkosi Gomani V.
On the Mhlangano contributions, Njolomole clarified that the collections are being coordinated by the office of Inkosi Gomani and that he was merely delegated to oversee the exercise in his area.
Meanwhile, some of the concerned chiefs have told this publication that they are planning to report the matter to Inkosi Gomani V, arguing that he may not be aware of some of the contributions being collected in the area apart from those related to the annual Mhlangano Cultural Ceremony.
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