Nkhata Bay, March 4: President Dr. Joyce Banda says her Government investigates history of chiefs in particular districts before elevating them to senior positions to avoid chieftaincy wrangles.

Dr Banda was responding to a request by Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkhata Bay Central, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, who on Sunday asked the President to elevate Traditional Authority (TA) Mkumbira to the position of Senior Chief.

President Dr Banda was on the day, March 3, attending Martyr’s Day Memorial Service at Nkhata Bay Community ground.

Speaking as MP for the area, Kaunda who is a Democratic People’s Party (DPP), surprised the audience when throughout his speech, he praised the current administration for its sound leadership.

“Madam President, you are President who responds instantly. Please, elevate TA Mkumbira to Senior Chief,” Kaunda said.

“Yes, I’m President who responds instantly, but before I stand on the podium to elevate chiefs, I investigate the history of chiefs in the particular district, first, to avoid chieftaincy wrangles,” Dr. Banda said in response.

Without naming it, she cited the chieftaincy wrangle that erupted in a particular district after one past regime elevated a junior chief at the expense of seniors.

She said her administration respects chieftaincy seniority in the districts.

The President then asked Nhata Bay chiefs to meet her at Kamuzu Palace to brief her on the history of chiefs in the district.

“As TA Mkumbira has already requested that, TAs want to have an audience with me, make a day so that we could discuss the history of this district,” she said.