Battle over Kapoloma chieftainship rages on

A wrangle over Kapoloma chieftaincy in Malawi’s eastern district of Machinga goes unabated between two royal families that have been exchanging the chieftaincy over the years as per their arrangement.

Until 2007 the Kapoloma chieftaincy has been peacefully alternating between the two royal families of Akung’ando and Asina.

The disagreements started in soon after the death of reigning chief Kapoloma ‘Kamulanje Kamala’ of Akung’ando clan.

Following the differences Senior Chief Kawinga of Machinga called for an in house meeting to resolve the misunderstandings.

The meeting held on January 1, 2008 was chaired by the then Sub Chief Nkoola who is currently on the helm of Senior Chief Kawinga, confirmed that chieftaincy has been alternating between  the two daughters of Anjuwalelo who are Akung’ando and Asina.

The minutes of the meeting sourced by Nyasa Times, showed that Akung’ando family has ruled thrice while Asina family has rule twice hence their turn to have the throne now.

Howeve,  Nyasa Times has learnt that the high court ruling dated October 16, 2014 delivered by Justice Dustan Mwaungulu determined that Mavuto Ahmed Gowelo of Akung’ando clan is the right heir of the chieftaincy.

But reacting to the ruling Margret Adini of the Asina clan who has been an interim chief since 2008 sounded of the ignorant of the ruling.

Adini said her clan knows nothing of the development as they have not yet been saved with ruling.

“My brother, am hearing it from you and only that I received a phone call from Senior Chief Kawinga informing me that I should cease acting as TA Kapoloma saying the court has ruled that the right heir is Gowelo,” said Adini.

Adini questioned the grounds in which the presiding judge referred to saying as per Yao traditional procedure the chieftainship belongs to Asina clan as is the status quo.

“I know that there is something fishy which is being played around, because there is no way the court can rule that Mavuto Gowelo is the right heir to the Kapoloma chieftaincy.

“I believe there is someone behind this who is manipulating the issue and want to rob the chieftaincy from me for the reasons best known to him. They are taking advantage of my financial position and that I am a lady,” she said.

Adini also added, “Had it been that I have enough money I would have consulted the legal experts and challenge the ruling at the supreme court of appeal and am pleading with gender activists especially the feminists to come in and fight against these hypocrites,” Adini told Nyasa Times.

Adini also told Nyasa Times that the preparations for the installation of the new chief are under way and is said to be graced by President Prof Peter Mutharika.

She has since asked the authorities to look into the matter with sober minds before it get out of hands.

In his remarks, Senior Chief Kawinga, denied calling Adini saying he also received speculations that the court has ruled against her.

“No, I have never called Mayi Adini on this issue but I am just hearing  rumours that the case has gone in that way and as I am talking now I have not yet been served with the court ruling,” Senior Kawinga told Nyasa Times.

Senior Chief Kawinga has also been accused of bringing confusions in Traditional Authority Chikweo of Machinga on the chieftaincy wrangle.

However when Nyasa Times wanted to hear more from Gowelo, he cut the line after our reporter introduced the topic to him.

Machinga District Commissioner Reinghard Kaweta Chavula admitted that her office has been saved with the ruling.

“My office has been served with the court ruling which is favour of Mavuto Gowelo on the grounds that Gowelo comes from the royal family of Kapoloma and is well known and also Akung’ando clan has more people compared to Asina,” Chavula said.

Chavula said her office was yet to submit the ruling to Adini saying they have delayed because it was first served to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

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