CONCOURT REJECTS THREE PARAMOUNT CHIEFS’ BID TO JOIN CHIEF MUKUNI RECLASSIFICATION PETITION
The Constitutional Court has rejected an application by three paramount chiefs seeking to be joined to a petition seeking a formal declaration that Chief Mukuni XIX of the Toka Leya people should be officially recognized and reclassified by Government as a Paramount Chief rather than an ordinary chief.
The petition against Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha was filed by Bene Mukuni Dynasty Committee Director General Jonas Shakafuswa
The three paramount chiefs who sought to be joined to the case as interested parties are the Litunga of the Lozi people of Western Province, Chitimukulu of the Bemba people of Northern and Muchinga provinces and Kalonga Gawa Undi of the Chewa people of Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
In his petition, Mr Shakafuswa argues that the current classification of Chief Mukuni as an ordinary chief is inconsistent with the historical and cultural standing of the Bene Mukuni Royal Establishment.
The petition, filed on June 27, 2026, maintains that the current classification of Chief Mukuni as an ordinary chief does not reflect the historical and cultural status of the Bene Mukuni Royal Establishment.
Mr Shakafuswa has cited Articles 1, 165(1) and (2), 166, 167 and 266 of the Constitution in support of the petition.
But Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, Kalonga Gawa Undi and the Litunga and filed applications seeking to be added as the second, third and fourth respondents, arguing that they have a direct and substantial interest in the matter.
The three traditional leaders further argued that any court decision creating or recognizing a new paramount chief could have far-reaching consequences for Zambia’s traditional governance system.
However, Constitutional Court Judge Lady Justice Pixie Linda Mwila Kasonde Yangailo has found that the Intended Interested Parties have not established an identifiable legal interest in the proceedings.
In her ruling, Justice Yangailo further found that the three traditional leaders have not sufficiently demonstrated that they may be affected by the outcome of the proceedings.
She also found that no legal duty to participate in or observe the proceedings has been asserted or established by the Intended Interested Parties hence their application has been dismissed.
KBN TV
