A dispute has erupted within the Machinjiri chieftaincy in Blantyre following the elevation of Andrew from Group Village Head to Traditional Authority (TA), with members of the royal family seeking court intervention to reverse the decision.
The Machinjiri chieftaincy, which is traditionally under the Yao customary leadership system, is now at the centre of controversy, with the royal family alleging that the elevation was influenced by a Lhomwe chief and did not follow established Yao customary procedures for succession.
Members of the royal family say the process used to elevate Andrew went against traditional norms governing how a Group Village Head progresses through recognised ranks before becoming a Traditional Authority.
Speaking in an interview, royal family representative Matthews Frazildo said the appointment bypassed key customary stages.
“It is impossible for a Group Village Head to become a TA directly. One has to first be elevated from Group Village Head to Sub TA or Senior Group Village Head, and all these positions are determined by the TA of the area,” said Frazildo.
He described the elevation as a “shortcut”, insisting that Andrew had never served in intermediate positions such as Sub Traditional Authority or Senior Group Village Head before being promoted.
According to Frazildo, the family has since filed for an injunction to stop Andrew from exercising the powers of a Traditional Authority while the court reviews the matter.
The family is also seeking a reversal of the appointment, arguing that Andrew should revert to his previous position as Group Village Head.
The royal family further wants the court to examine aspects of chieftaincy law and how promotions are administered in Malawi, arguing that the current process has created inconsistencies in traditional leadership succession.
Despite the tensions, Frazildo dismissed claims that the dispute is rooted in tribal differences, saying the matter is strictly about customary procedure.
“This is not about tribe. There are many chiefs from different tribes serving in this region,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of the Machinjiri clan have written to Paramount Chief Kawinga, the Yao Chief Council, Chiwanja Cha Ayao and Senior Chief Machinjiri, requesting intervention in the matter.
In their communication, the clan expressed dissatisfaction with the elevation and informed traditional leaders that the matter is already before the courts.
“We appeal to the Paramount Chief, all Yao chiefs and the Ayao through the Chiwanja Cha Ayao organisation to intervene in any way possible in this matter,” reads part of the letter.
The dispute is not new, as it traces back to August 17, 2017, when authorities elevated Andrew from Group Village Head to Sub Traditional Authority, a decision that also triggered resistance from sections of the Machinjiri royal family and led to earlier court proceedings.
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