Graft fight for all - Lungu

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says the fight against corruption is not for the government alone but a responsibility of every citizen including traditional leaders.

He called for concerted efforts with various stakeholders noting that politicians were left alone to fight corruption.

President Lungu said this during a meeting with the traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch of South Africa, Prince Mongosuthu Buthelezi at State House yesterday.

Prince Mongosuthu Buthelezi arrived in the country yesterday following an invitation to attend the Ncwala ceremony of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province slated for tomorrow.

President Lungu said government had always realized the critical mandate that traditional leaders played and would support the traditional ceremonies.

“We as government realise that traditional leaders have a critical role to play. They are the ones that ensured that we overcame colonialism.

“Traditional leaders have also played a significant role in the fight against corruption and protection of the rights of our girl children, “President Lungu said.

And Prince Mongosuthu Buthelezi who is also a leader of the opposition Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa said Zambia and South Africa would forever be joined through the struggle the two countries had shared in the liberation of the African continent. He expressed happiness with President Lungu’s decision to institute a National Day of Prayer for Zambia.

“I was impressed by your decision to institute a National Day of Prayer for Zambia. Indeed, here too we share a similarity, for I understand that your Excellency has been a guest at the Vatican and enjoyed an audience with his Holliness Pope Francis.

Over my lifetime, I have met with Pope Paul Vi, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict VII. I am an Anglican by denomination, but I am simply a believer in Christ. So it is always wonderful to meet with fellow believers,” Prince Mongosuthu Buthelezi said.