M’mbelwa embroiled in ‘cattlegate’ in elevating village heads

Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V of Mzimba district is demanding cattle and goats for him to elevate village head men to a rank higher.

It is estimated that in a month the Chief elevates more than five traditional leaders.

In fact the Chief actually sends his Indunas to the cattle kraal of the prospective candidate to choose the cattle for himself before he officiate the ceremony.

The writer witnessed this at Mchapasalu Village last Saturday where M`mbelwa elevated Village Headman Mchapasalu to Group Village Headman.

On the other hand, scores of villagers from more than 10 surrounding villagers were asked to bring goats and chickens as a token to welcome the Chief. And those without were told to bring cash.

One old villager in his 70s told Nyasa Times that he had to part with MK20,000 part of the money her daughter who is in South Africa send him to buy fertilizer just to honor Chief M`mbelwa`s demand.

`This is farming season and we are forced to part with the little monies we have just to please the chief. This is unfair. This is further impoverishing us, ` said the Elder citizen, whom we cannot name because Chief M`mbelwa may banish him from the village.

But in a telephone interview Chief M`mbelwa parried the accusations saying as the head of the district he deserved to be treated like royalty.

`I don’t force people. They do that on their own and I cannot refuse,` he said and cut the line.

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