LITUNGA REJECTS MUNDUBILE’S MEETING, CITES FAILURE TO FOLLOW ROYAL PROTOCOL.
His Majesty the Litunga of Barotseland, Lubosi Imwiko II, reportedly declined to immediately meet Toonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his entourage after they allegedly commenced campaign activities in Mongu before seeking clearance from the Barotse Royal Establishment.
Instead, the Litunga is said to have directed the Ngambela (Prime Minister) to first engage Mr. Mundubile and his delegation following the campaign activities that had already begun.
According to information obtained by Zambian Watch News, Mr. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, allegedly went straight into conducting roadshows across Mongu before paying a courtesy call on the Litunga a move that sources describe as contrary to established protocol.
The King is said to have viewed the development as a sign of disrespect to the Barotse Royal Establishment, as the delegation had begun campaigning before formally introducing themselves and registering their presence with the Kingdom.
Under the customary practice observed in many chiefdoms and traditional establishments, political candidates intending to campaign in an area are expected to first pay a courtesy call on the traditional leadership to formally notify them of their presence and planned activities.
However, Mr. Mundubile’s camp is said to have proceeded with roadshows before engaging the traditional leadership.
“The King was displeased when he learnt that Toonse Pamodzi Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his team were already conducting roadshows in Mongu before first registering their presence at the palace,” a source told Zambian Watch News.
“It is standard procedure that whenever you are a visitor in an area, you first pay a courtesy call on the Chief or King. It allows the Kingdom to know that you are present and understand the purpose of your visit. Our colleagues skipped that important step and went straight into campaigning. That did not sit well with the King, which is why he instructed the Ngambela (Prime Minister) to meet them for discussions.”
Following the meeting, Mr. Mundubile reportedly apologized to the Barotse Royal Establishment for failing to pay the courtesy call earlier, explaining that his movements had allegedly been disrupted by UPND supporters whom he claimed had armed themselves with stones and other objects.
Mr. Mundubile is also said to have assured the Kingdom that he would observe the proper procedure in future before commencing campaign activities.
He reportedly also sought to clarify remarks attributed to members of his campaign team suggesting that Western Province does not require an airport.
“The positive part is that Mr. Mundubile apologized and explained that he had been blocked by UPND cadres carrying stones. We are a peace-loving people, and we have accepted his apology. The team has now been given the green light to campaign freely in Mongu without disturbance. We believe this is how such matters should be handled,” the source added.
©️ Zambian Watch News.