CHIEFTAINCY LAW — Appointment of Traditional Rulers — Discretionary Nature of Public Inquiry Under Section 27(1) of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict 1979

Public inquiry under section 27(1) is discretionary, not mandatory. The principle applies to chieftaincy law. The authority may decide based on available evidence. The rule prevents unnecessary inquiries. The court will not compel an inquiry where evidence suffices. The principle is well-established.