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| National |
| Chiefs want council back |
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by
McLan Kanyangwa, 16 June 2004
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08:50:44
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Over 200 chiefs who dated President Bingu wa Mutharika on Tuesday demanded that government must recognise the Chiefs Council which was abandoned last year, saying it provided a forum for the chiefs to speak with one voice.
The chiefs also complained that their perks should match their authority, since the small salaries they get make them feel inferior to ministers, members of Parliament and senior government officials.
Mutharika who said there can not be politics without chiefs was quick to welcome back the Chiefs Council arguing that vernacular translation of the word “politics” has led to serious misconception about the participation of chiefs in issues of governance.
Formation of Chiefs Council was announced by former president Bakili Muluzi on June 30 in 2001 at a rally in Jali in Zomba after launching Hunger Project.
The former president said the council would act as link between chiefs and government.
But Inkosi Mbelwa IV reminded Mutharika that Local Government does not recognise the council.
Chief Kaomba said he was not comfortable with the way decentralisation was being implemented, noting that chiefs were being left out of most assembly meetings where decisions are made.
Chief Sitola of Machinga got a loud applause from other chiefs when he told the President that the chiefs only get K1,000 (about $9) as a salary.
He said this makes people belittle chiefs.
Senior Chief Kanyenda added that the salaries that the chiefs get do not match their status as depicted by government.
“Promotions should come with better packages, respect to chiefs should start from the government itself through good packages,” said Kanyenda.
Mutharika said government intends to restore the respect of chiefs, adding he does not know why the council was abandoned.
Said he: “ May be some people are afraid of chiefs. I do not know why the council was abandoned, it must come back.”
Mutharika reiterated his commitment to reconciliation by inviting all the chiefs to work with his government and forget political differences.
“I know that some of you did not vote for me. You voted for someone you thought was a good choice for you. I will bring development to the country without looking at the voting trends,” said Mutharika
The government abandoned the Chiefs Council in October last year, saying there is already a provision for the Chiefs Council in the Chiefs Act.
Section 13 of the Chiefs Act reads: “Where the President has removed a person from the office of chief and is of the opinion that no other person is suitable for the appointment to such office he may appoint a chiefs council to perform the function of that office.”
The chiefs were advised to form an association.
Political commentators then said the Chiefs Council was an obstacle to democracy because it was biased towards the ruling party.
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