Police net 5 at Chikulamayembe installation ceremony
Police in the Northern Region have arrested five people in connection with pockets of violence during the installation of Themba la Mathemba Chikulamayembe the 13th on Saturday.
President Lazarus Chakwera installed the chief of the Tumbukas in Rumphi District.
Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola confirmed the development Monday.
“The five have been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace,” he said.
Chapola said those arrested are suspected of pelting stones at law enforcers while others are suspected of burning vehicle tyres while chanting songs that are deemed insulting to police officers who were on duty.
He said suspects would appear in court once the Malawi Police Service was done with paperwork.
“I can confirm that we are keeping in custody five people on suspicion that they perpetuated violence at the installation ceremony of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.
“Once we are done with paperwork, we will take them to the court where they will answer the charge of conduct likely to cause breach of peace,” Chapola said.
Meanwhile, Group Village Head Hunga Gondwe, who speaks for Mtima Gondwe, described the arrests as unfair, saying people were only expressing displeasure at the government’s decision to install Bongololo Gondwe as the Tumbuka king.
Hunga Gondwe, who further indicated that the suspects had been released on bail, said there should be a proper way of resolving the matter.
“Some people in our area are still angry with the development [installation of the new chief],” he said.
“All in all, the truth on this matter shall be known,” Gondwe added.
The development comes after, on Saturday, law enforcers arrested Moses Khalapamhanya Gondwe, who is one of the heads of the royal family of the Khamangas, and released him the next day.
Chakwera, speaking at the installation ceremony, advised the new chief to unite the Tumbuka people
