Minister calls for order on village head establishments

Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda has called upon chiefs to embrace sanity and order when establishing village heads.

Speaking during the elevation of Traditional Authorities (TAs) Kafuzira and Mphonde to Senior Chiefs, Chimwendo Banda said some problems chiefs are facing in matters of honorarium are because of rapid increase in establishment of these village head men.

“We need a policy that guides our traditional leaders to promote or establish new village headmen. What is happening now is that a number of chiefs are being established without the mandate of TAs or indeed district council,” he said.

He, therefore, said chiefs should always be in touch with district commissioners before they promote or establish village headmen.

He assured the chiefs that the arrangement is not meant to take their powers but a matter of following policy.

On matters of chieftaincy wrangles Chimwendo said people should promote dialogue and not rush to the courts when disagreements ensure.

Chimwendo Banda said rushing to the courts on such matters stalls development because a vaccum is created during the time an issue if in court.

Speaking on behalf of all chiefs, Senior Chief Kanyenda said government should start taking care of all chiefs unconditionally.