Ministry of Local and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Nicholas Phiri, says he is hopeful that the succession process within the Ngoni Royal Establishment would provide a positive example of an orderly transition of traditional leadership.

Mr Phiri notes that there are currently more than 56 succession disputes involving traditional leadership before the courts of law across the country.

He has since appealed to traditional establishments countrywide to support peaceful and structured succession processes and avoid disputes that often emerge following the death of traditional leaders.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary stated that the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV championed unity, love and strong traditional institutions throughout his reign.

He urged that the legacy of the late Paramount Chief should therefore be honoured through a dignified and peaceful transition.

“We are hopeful as a ministry that this will be completely different because the man whose life we are celebrating stood for stronger institutions of central and traditional governance,” he said.