By Burnett Munthali
The High Court in Blantyre is today expected to hear a chieftaincy dispute involving the succession to the Traditional Authority (T/A) Mpama throne, a case that has left the position vacant for nearly three years.
The hearing follows a legal challenge over who should rightfully succeed the late Senior Chief Mpama, whose death in 2023 triggered a disagreement between rival royal families.
According to court documents, the Chekundembe royal family has taken legal action against the Chenguku royal family over the succession to the T/A Mpama chieftaincy.
The dispute centres on competing claims regarding which royal lineage has the legitimate right to produce the next Traditional Authority Mpama in accordance with customary law.
The late Senior Chief Mpama, born Daniel George Matewere, died in 2023 at the age of 73 after serving as the traditional leader of the area.
His death created a leadership vacuum that has remained unresolved, with no officially recognised successor installed to the throne.
The prolonged dispute has meant that the T/A Mpama chieftaincy has remained without a substantive traditional leader for the past three years.
Today’s court proceedings are expected to determine key legal and customary issues surrounding the succession process and could pave the way for the appointment of a new Traditional Authority.
The outcome of the case is likely to be closely followed by members of both royal families, local communities and traditional leaders, as it could bring an end to the long-running succession dispute and restore recognised leadership to the T/A Mpama area.
