Traditional leaders in Rumphi, supporting Mtima Gondwe as the legitimate heir, have urged President Peter Mutharika to nullify the appointment of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

The request stems from an ongoing chieftaincy dispute, in which Mtima Gondwe is challenging the legitimacy of Bongololo’s appointment.

Speaking after delivering their petition to the Rumphi District Council Thursday, Group Village Headman Kamuzinga said they do not agree with the procedures that were followed in the installation and appointment of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

The traditional leader alleges that since the current Paramount Chief was installed, there has been no peace in the district because he is installing traditional leaders  in areas where there are existing traditional leaders.

The traditional leaders believes President Mutharika's intervention would end their chieftaincy wrangles.

"We believe this government is not corrupt and the intervention of the state president would bring help to resolve our dispute" said the traditional leader.

Meanwhile, Rumphi District Council Director of Administration, Raymond Nkhonya, has assured the gathering that the letter will be delivered to President Peter Mutharika.

He further hailed them for delivering their petition to the district  council peacefully and appealed to them to exercise patience in the whole process.

The current Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe was installed on April 30, 2022.