Mulanje’s T/A Njema assaulted over Chieftaincy wrangle

Traditional Authority (T/A) Njema of Mulanje District was hospitalised at Mulanje District Hospital after an angry mob beat him on Wednesday over chieftaincy wrangles.

The T/A is being accused of rallying behind the Issa family against the Tsabola family as the two parties are fighting for the Namasalima chieftainship.

Reports indicate that Njema says the chieftainship belongs to the Tsabola family a decision that is not going down well with the Issa family.

Members from the Issa family on Wednesday morning thronged to the farm of Tsabola family where they found them preparing the garden and launched a huge battle.

The Issa family thereafter went to the house of T/A Njema where they stoned the house and break windows before surrounding and beating up the chief.

He was later rescued by the police who later took him to Mulanje District Hospital alongside seven other people who were also seriously injured during the fracas.

According to Mulanje District Commissioner (DC) Fred Movete, the groups were over farm land belonging to the Namasalima chieftaincy which the group that won the case suspected the T/A was unfairly distributing.

Mulanje Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said no arrests have so far been made but “investigations are underway.”

The Namasalima chieftaincy position fell vacant in 2012 following the death of chief Namasalima.