THREE PARAMOUNT CHIEFS APPLY TO JOIN CONCOURT CHALLENGE OVER CHIEF MUKUNI’S BID FOR PARAMOUNTCY
By Nelson Zulu
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, the Litunga and Kalonga Gawa Undi have applied before the Constitutional Court to be joined as second, third and fourth respondents in a matter in which Director General of the Bene Mukuni Dynasty Committee Jonas Shakafuswa sued Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha seeking the reclassification of Chief Mukuni as a paramount chief in line with custom and tradition
According to the applications for joinder, the three traditional leaders submit that they have sufficient interest and locus-standi in the matter, saying the creation and recognition of a paramount chief in any part of Zambia is of public interest and of concern to paramount chiefs, as the outcome of the case has the potential to undermine and destabilize traditional systems that have existed for generations.
In his affidavit, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Henry Sosala says the application seeks the creation, recognition and installation of Chief Munokalya Mupotola IV Siloka III Mukuni XIX as a paramount chief in southern province, a move he argues could open a pandora’s box for disgruntled or ambitious junior chiefs to challenge long-established traditional authorities across the country, destabilize chieftaincies, and threaten national security.
Paramount Chief Chitimukulu further submits that Chief Mukuni is among more than 40 chiefs in southern province, and that recognizing him as paramount chief could have far-reaching implications for established traditional hierarchies.
Meanwhile, the Litunga and Kalonga Gawa Undi have similarly argued that they have a direct interest in the matter by virtue of their positions as paramount chiefs and custodians of extensive traditional jurisdictions.
They submit that any decision on the establishment or recognition of a paramount chief has the potential to affect traditional governance structures and the authority of existing paramount chiefs, and have asked the constitutional court to allow them to participate in the proceedings.
On 27th June 2026, Mr. Shakafuswa petitioned the constitutional court, arguing 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, which he says has long exercised paramountcy and kingly authority within the traditional hierarchy.
He cited Articles 1, 165(1) and (2), 166, 167 and 266 of the constitution in support of his petition.
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Kill the tribe said Samora Machel…..for what is its importance?
I don’t seem to agree with them, as they have rightly put it, these Institutions have existed for years and we have had no problems at all. No one junior Chief has ever challenged any of the three paramount chiefs. So if Senior Chiefs Mukuni and Monze are recognized as Paramount Chiefs, which Junior chiefs can challenge that if it’s already in the Constution? Those are just suspicions or assumptions. The only valid reason they can put is that they want to continue enjoying the dominance of Paramount Chieftainship alone.
The Mukuni chieftaincy has a right to claim paramountcy so do the other chief chieftaincies in Southern province. Question is paramountcy over who? The current paramount chiefs have a long history of paramountcy with established processes of recognition over time. Tradition is established with strict norms on succession to the chieftaincy. Let us go back in time and review to help us understand how the Mukuni chieftaincy found itself where it is so we can establish and authenticate its claim to paramountcy. The points raised by the paramount chiefs are very valid. Politics do not validate chieftaincy, tradition does. Can historians please share some aspects of why the South is the only region not to have a Paramount Chief?
Modern nations need modern institutions. Are chiefdoms a good fit in what we’re trying to build? Think of ancient empires that have been swept away in Europe in order to usher in modernity. What should we do with chiefdoms?
Chiefs have no relevance in the modern dispensary. What is their role except to preside over traditional ceremonies and dish out traditional land which is under their custody otherwise they follow the same laws as all the other citizens and are liable to be arrested if they break the law.