Chieftaincy fight leaves old man injured: Four nabbed

Police in Kasungu have arrested four men in connection with the alleged assault and unlawful wounding of an elderly man following a long-running chieftaincy dispute in the district.

According to Kasungu Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Sergeant Miracle Hauli, the suspects have been identified as Jacob Phiri, 32, Emmanuel Robert Phiri, 49, Lumbani Nyirongo, 39, and Christopher Phiri, 52.

Hauli said detectives launched investigations after a photograph of the alleged victim, Gladwell Chitete, circulated on social media on August 24, 2026.

The investigations led to the arrest of the four men on August 26.

According to police, the incident stemmed from a long-standing dispute over the position of Senior Group Village Headman Kacherekhwanya between Timothy Phiri Mwaya, the sitting chief, and Given Kumwenda, who is claiming the position.

Police said the dispute escalated on August 23 at about 5pm when the sitting chief allegedly stopped Kumwenda from going to the office of Traditional Authority Chisikwa.

This triggered a confrontation between supporters of the two groups, during which supporters of the new chief were allegedly assaulted by their counterparts.

The matter was reported at the Nkhakama Police Unit, and the victims were referred to Lojwa Health Centre, where they were treated as outpatients.

All four suspects come from Kacherekhwanya Village under Traditional Authority Chisikwa in Kasungu District.

Hauli said the suspects are expected to appear in court soon to answer charges of unlawful wounding, while investigations continue to identify and arrest other people allegedly involved in the violence.

Police have also warned members of the community against taking the law into their own hands.

“Anyone who will be found doing the act will face the law,” Hauli said.