Directorate Of Chiefs Administration
The Directorate deals with the management and general welfare of Chiefs. It is a delegated function which was previously handled by the OPC and it covers the following operational areas:
(i) Coordinating Chiefs’ attendance of meetings organized by various stakeholders;
(ii) Initiating the review of the Chiefs Act when the need arises, in coordination with the Malawi Law Commission;
(iii) Facilitating the construction of Chiefs houses and offices
(iv) Facilitating decent burial of Chiefs
(v) Conducting orientation and sensitization meetings on the role and responsibilities of Chiefs
(vi) Facilitating the identification of heir to vacant thrones wherever there are misunderstandings on who should take over the leadership regalia;
(vii) Facilitating installation/elevation ceremonies when heir has been identified
(viii)Assisting referrals of Chiefs to facilities within and outside the country in liaison with Ministry of Health.
Local Government engaging chiefs to formulate guidelines to chief policy
Currently, there are 400 Chiefs in total. Seven at the level of Paramount Chiefs with one vacancy for the Lomwe Tribe, 131 at the level of Senior Chiefs, 145 at the level of TA and 117 at the level Sub TA. There are 7,532 GVHs and 34,224 VHs. The Directorate is currently undertaking the following:
(i) Develop the Chiefs Act: The Cabinet Paper on the repeal of the Chiefs Act was presented to Cabinet Committee and the committee advised for further discussions on the paper in order to remove some recommendations as proposed by the Law Commission;
(ii) Construction and maintenance of chiefs’ houses: The project is aimed at improving the welfare of Traditional Leaders through construction and maintenance of chiefs’ houses; Paramount Chief Houses (5), Senior Chief Houses (47) and Chiefs 32. So far, 13 houses have been completed.
(iii) Facilitate installation and elevation of chiefs;
(iv) Develop a royal succession plan to reduce chief’s wrangles: 9 district councils out of 28 district councils have compiled family trees from royal families; and
(v) Development of Chief’s Policy: The draft is ready, Management of the Ministry commented on the draft policy and the technical team is finalising so that is should be presented to the Principal Secretary Committee.
(vi) Engaging Chiefs on ending Gender Based Violence by championing the eradication of harmful cultural practices.
(vii) Tracing of Chiefs boundaries in conjunction with the Surveyor General in line with the new Lands Laws.
