20 houses torched in Salima as villagers attack acting chief Kuluunda
Angry villagers from the area of T/A Kuluunda on Friday attacked and set ablaze a house belonging to Group Village Head Woman Kuluunda, who was last month appointed as acting T/A after the suspension of Adija Biti Chapola.
According to Salima Police Spokesperson Gift Chitowe the villagers have also touched 20 houses of relatives or supporters of the suspended chief.
“Apart from those that were set on fire some houses have been damaged and property damaged,” said Chitowe.
He further said that the perpetrators of the violence have even killed livestock belonging to the suspended chief’s relatives.
Chitowe has also confirmed that so far five people have been arrested in connection with the violence and said more will be picked.
The violence follows another which erupted on Monday at Kachulu Head Quarters where villagers disrupted an Area Development Committee (ADC) meeting and beat up committee’s secretary Daudi Hussein, who is also son to the suspended chief.
The five who have been arrested are Azibi Adam (24), Ibrahim Adam (21), Alex M’dala (40), Phonex Mangwere and Harry Soko (19).
According to sources the villagers are challenging the decision to put Group Village Head Woman Kuluunda who is a direct sister of the suspended chief and have threatened to respond with violence if she still stays as acting chief.
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Who suspended the former chief? What are the reasons?
I hope government is not the culprit since government is on record when it comes to winning support and elevation of chiefs
boma lichitepo kanthu basi.
Arrest them all hynenas who oppose the chieftainship. I hope prezdent will act fast the way he did with Aniva
Georrge Thindwa ssukudziwa chomwe ukunena. Think of English countries whch do not have inherited chieftancy. Mukamapita kukakhala pakati pa mitundu ya anthu ena osamanyoza chikhalidwe chawo. Anthu oobwera ndi omwe akuchita izi
By the way in Uganda they abolished these so called Chiefs. What do they do apart from being a nuisance and draining tax payers money.
I need to sound serious with my comment that is why adding this part. Government as we entrusted you with our votes I am asking you to take measures to punish these perpetrators to send a long lasting warning even after we all dead due to passing of time. This needs urgent intervention of the president and it pains Malawians as such type of behaviours keep on coming – Karonga, Thyolo, Mwanza now Salima. I would not think twice to punish severely whoever commits these crimes in our country. PLEASE respond.
This is very sad development for our peaceful mother Malawi. Where is contact and dialogue? We are already s poor country and destroying property will not solve anything. Let’s advocate contact and dialogue in handling serious issues of chieftaincy like this. I feel sorry for the community affected.