However, Spokesperson for the Ministry, Anjoya Kanyalika Mwanza while acknowledging the Ministry of having no power to appointing successors, the Ministry is committed to ensuring all vacant positions are timely filled.

"Between January to date, 18 chiefs have died in the country. However, much as we do not have an influence on successors, as it lies in the hands of royal families, only four of them have submitted names," she said.

Governance expert, Wonderful Mkhutche feels that delays by royal families to submit names to the Ministry have a great impact on development.

"Traditional leaders form part of full council meetings where issues of development are discussed. Royal families need to expedite appointing successors for development to continue in areas where there is no representation now," he said.

Meanhwile, the 4 royal families that have submitted names are of late T/A's Njolomole in Ntcheu, Kamenyagwaza in Dedza, and 2 in Kasungu Senior Chief Kaluluma and STA Chisinga.