The elevation of Andrew from Group Village Head to Traditional Authority (TA) in the area of Senior Chief Machinjiri in Blantyre has sparked controversy, with members of the Machinjiri royal family seeking court intervention to reverse the decision.
President Peter Mutharika recently elevated Andrew to the position of Traditional Authority, a move the royal family argues did not follow established traditional and legal procedures governing chieftaincy succession and promotions.
Speaking in an interview, one of the royal family members, Matthews Frazildo, said the family has taken the matter to court because they believe proper procedures were ignored in Andrew’s elevation.
“It is impossible for a Group Village Head to become a TA directly. One has to first be elevated from Group Village Head to Sub TA or Senior Group Village Head, and all these positions are determined by the TA of the area. It is only after becoming a Sub TA or Senior Group Village Head that the President can promote someone to TA,” said Frazildo.
He described the promotion as a “shortcut”, arguing that Andrew had not served as a Sub Traditional Authority or Senior Group Village Head before being elevated to the higher rank.
According to Frazildo, the concerned family members are seeking an injunction to stop Andrew from exercising duties as Traditional Authority and want him to revert to his previous position as Group Village Head. They are also asking the court to review some laws governing the administration of chieftaincy in the country.
Frazildo, however, dismissed claims that the opposition to Andrew’s elevation is based on tribal considerations, saying the matter has nothing to do with Andrew being from the Lhomwe tribe in a predominantly Yao area.
“This is not about tribe. There are many chiefs from different tribes in this region, not only the Yao,” he said.
However, members of the Machinjiri clan have written letters to Paramount Chief Kawinga, the Yao Chief Council, Chiwanja Cha Ayao, and Senior Chief Machinjiri asking them to intervene in the dispute.
In the letter, the clan expressed dissatisfaction with the decision by President Mutharika and informed the traditional leaders that the matter is already before the courts.
“We appeal to you, the Paramount Chief, all Yao chiefs and the Ayao through the Chiwanja Cha Ayao organization to intervene in any way possible in this matter,” reads part of the letter.
The dispute traces back to August 17, 2017, when Mutharika, during his previous term as President, elevated Group Village Head Andrew to the position of Sub Traditional Authority, a move that also drew resistance from members of the Machinjiri royal family and resulted in court action.
