Embattled Chief Liteta gets injunction

THE Lusaka High Court has granted Chief Liteta of Chibombo an injunction restraining members of the Royal Establishment from attempting to dethrone him until final determination of the matter.

Chief Liteta has sued six members of the Lenje Royal Establishment, demanding a court order to restrain them from inciting members of the family and the public to rise against him. In his claim, Chief Liteta said that on 24th May 2002, he was attacked in his residence as gun shots were fired by those he suspected to be opposed to his selection as chief.

The chief said that on July 6, 2002, he appointed new headmen and the defendants appointed Melody Chitambala, who is Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe to be introduced as new Chieftainess Liteta, contrary to tradition and law as a vacancy has not arisen for such an appointment to become due.

And in their affidavit in opposition to the relief sought, the six members of the royal establishment who are Melody Chitambala, Kingsley Chinkuli, David Mukumbuta, George Kaswende, George Kabwenga and Jesnala Kabwenga said they wanted the traditional leader out of the thrown because his conduct rendered him unfit for the office of Chief Liteta.

They claimed that Charles Mulonda (Chief Liteta) has refused to recognise or take advice from the royal establishment on important issues regarding the chiefdom.

They argued that as a consequence of Chief Litata’s conduct, the electoral body selected Ms Melody Chitambala to act as a caretaker chief while considering the next successor to the office of Chief Liteta.

In his ruling, High Court Judge Dancewell Bowa said he was unable to merit allegation of misconduct at this stage and therefore granted Chief Liteta’s relief sought to restrain those who wanted to dethrone him until the matter was disposed of.

“In avoidance of doubt, I find that this is a proper case for which I can exercise my discretion to grant the injunction sought until final determination of the matter,” Judge Bowa said.