FORGIVE US
…we’ve been crying since inauguration – East chiefs
By Richard Luo in Nyimba
CHAIRPERSON for the House of Chiefs senior chief Lwembe has asked the new dawn government to forgive traditional leaders if they erred in one way or the other ahead of last year’s elections.
Speaking when presidential advisor for politics Levy Ngoma paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday, Lwembe said during the campaign period there was a lot that was being said but that afterwards everyone sat and analysed the situation.
“During campaign period, there is a lot of things said as this one says this, this one says this but when it’s gone, we all sit down and view the past and the future and asses the way to go. Kupyolera muli neo nikuti mutikhululukire ngati pali petelakwa monga mafumu (through me, I ask you to forgive all traditional leader who might have erred in one way or the other); because others were to the left and others were to the right,” he said. “Now we are done
with elections capezeka kuti njira niyimo (it has been realised that there is only one way). Those who
sided with the bigger side have decided to go with the right way.”
He said traditional leaders were worried that after elections the government had not visited them.
Lwembe asked Ngoma to deliver the message of
forgiveness to President Hakainde Hichilema and ensure traditional leaders
worked together with the government of the day.
“We were crying since the time of elections and inauguration. We had worries that what wrong did we commit that we are not seen? Now that we have seen you, tell him that chiefs in Eastern Province are so excited and happy for the work you have done,” Lwembe added. “I request that you deliver this message to the President that us chiefs, I speak for the chiefs because I am the chairperson for the House of Chiefs in Zambia. As chiefs, if there is anywhere we wronged, we ask government to forgive us.”
He emphasised that even if a traditional leader as an individual supported a certain political party then, they should support the government of the day now.
Lwembe also thanked the government for increasing the Constituency Development Fund from K1.6 million to K25.7 million.
He also expressed hope that the government would fulfill the promise of constructing and rehabilitating chiefs’ palaces.
“We expect this to be done in a systematic way and not what used to happen where a palace could take time to be completed. I don’t think you can fail the way you have started doing things. As traditional leaders in Zambia, we are supporting the presidency of Hakainde Hichilema,” said Lwembe.
And Ngoma said the new dawn government would not sideline any traditional leader on political
grounds but that it would deliver campaign promises everywhere.
He told Lwembe that his chiefdom gave President Hichilema some votes.
“…the President sent me to specifically reach the palaces, regardless of how far it is or how bad the
road network might be. But he said go and pay respect, appreciation to them for the big role they played in ensuring free and peaceful elections,” said Ngoma.