The High Court in Mzuzu has refused to grant an injunction restraining Mtima Walter Gondwe from conducting activities as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

The court was to make a determination on an injunction that Joseph Bongololo Gondwe through his lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta solicited stopping Gondwe from operating as Paramount chief and conducting Gonapamuhanya celebrations.

Gondwe’s lawyer Wesley Mwafulirwa said the ruling means that Gondwe remains Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe.

He however said judicial review on his installation will be heard later.

“We will wait for the next step which is called scheduling conference. After scheduling conference then the case will be heard,” Mwafulirwa said.

Lawyer representing Bongololo Gondwe wanted the decision made by the President Peter Mutharika and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri to appoint and install be stopped.

Mtima Walter Gondwe was installed as Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe at a ceremony held at senior chief Mwankhunikira Headquarters in Rumphi District last month.

The ceremony was however characterized by violent incidences by people from the two camps of Joseph Bongololo Gondwe and Mtima Walter Gondwe.

The two have been entangled in a succession dispute after the death of Mtima’s father Walter John Hardy Gondwe in December 2018.