Resolve Chiefdom boundaries – Sensio Banda

By NATION REPORTER

GOVERNMENT should take the matter of the 1958 Chiefdom Boundaries Maps seriously because it has been a source of conflict in many parts of the country, former Kasenengwa Member of Parliament Sensio Banda has said.
Mr Banda said the long-standing disputes arising from the 1958 Chiefdom Boundaries Maps had continued to cause confusion among traditional leaders, some of whom were encroaching into neighbouring territories due to unclear demarcations and missing boundary beacons.

He said the issue had been raised by many chiefs across the country who had repeatedly appealed to gthe government to revisit and harmonise the boundaries.“This matter has been an ongoing issue. In some cases, it has created confusion among traditional leaders as they try to determine where one chiefdom ends and another begins,” Mr Banda said.

He said Government, through the relevant legal and administrative channels, was the only authority capable of resolving the disputes and ensuring lasting harmony among chiefdoms.
Mr Banda said unresolved boundary issues were also negatively affecting investment in areas such as agriculture and mining, since investors often required clear traditional consent before undertaking projects.
“As long as these disputes remain unresolved, people in affected areas will not see meaningful development,” he said.
He said traditional leaders were the custodians of land, culture, and peace in their communities, and therefore needed clearly defined jurisdictions to effectively carry out their roles.
“When a dispute arises in an area where boundaries are unclear, it becomes difficult to know who has authority to speak. That in itself breeds further confusion and tension in the community,” Mr Banda said.Mr Banda’s remarks come amid renewed debate among traditional leaders who have demanded that Government updates the 1958 Chiefdom Boundaries Maps.
The maps, drawn during the colonial era, were meant to define areas of traditional authority but have since become outdated due to population growth, shifting settlements and administrative changes.
Many chiefdoms now overlap, leading to land disputes and occasional violence among subjects.
Mr Banda appealed to the government to prioritise the review of Chiefdom boundaries and conclude the long-delayed process once and for all.
“This is an outstanding matter which government must take seriously and resolve for the sake of peace, development, and respect for traditional authority,” he said.