Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture spokesperson, Anjoya Mwanza said the chief died at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital after a long illness.

Mwanza has announced that late T/A Changata real name Rodrick Gabriel Tsanyumba, will be buried at his Mphembere headquarters in the district.

The chief who was installed as T/A in 2008 is survived by a wife, eight children and 37 grandchildren.

He has died at 85.