Chief Chikanta preaches peace
CHIEF Chikanta of Kalomo District, Southern Province has urged his fellow traditional leaders to preach peace and encourage citizens to co-exist ahead of the August 12 general elections.
The traditional leader said that Chiefs have the responsibility to unite people and also denounce political violence.
“As Chiefs we don’t encourage that. We don’t want violence and when politicians come to campaign in our chiefdoms, we should encourage them to co-exist because they are just soliciting for votes. So we have a very big task as chiefs to sensitize our people,” he said.
On reports that he has endorsed President Edgar Lungu, Chief Chikanta refuted the claims by some sections of society.
“As chiefs, we are supposed to work with the government of the day, meaning government programmes are supposed to develop our people in chiefdoms and in towns.
“We cannot go to the extent of endorsing a candidate whether ruling party or opposition especially this time around when we are going towards elections. That could create problems among our people. What we are supposed to do is to encourage people to go and vote in numbers for candidates of their choice,” he said.
Chief Chikanta explained that he merely acknowledged the fact that Government had delivered development in many areas of the Southern Province and did not make mention of endorsing a candidate.
“No, that is not true, I did not endorse. Two weeks ago, there was a television crew from ZNBC which was going through development projects. They started from Mazabuka, they went up to Kalomo and in Kalomo they visited some
projects like Bbilili Secondary School and the Dundumwezi Road and also mobile towers which were put up by Zamtel and electricity.
“So they came to me and asked for my feelings about those developments. Our saying was, yes we are very happy people that this government has done well and I said, yes in Dundumwezi in particular we are saying when the President came in 2017 we told him about our challenges then he responded,” he explained.
He added: I said he was a listening President but I did not endorse him. I did not say I am endorsing him for 2021 elections... that’s not correct. I just want to make that clear that all those who are saying I endorsed, it’s not correct.”