Ignore tribalist Mukuni - Luchembe

ZAMBIANS should ignore Sinior Chief Mukuni and disgruntled politicians who want to use tribalism as a tool for political mileage, Chief Luchembe of the Bisa people of Mpika has advised.

Chief Luchembe said the people peddling tribalism were selfish and did not have the heart for the people of Zambia.

He was reacting to Senior Chief Mukuni’s statement that “we’ll not give President Lungu peace over his attempt to divide us”.

Chief Luchembe said it was foolish for some leaders and chiefs to twist what President Lungu had said just to champion their political agenda.

He said at no time had the

head of State uttered any tribal statement in Livingstone. The opposition was always eager to blow something out of proportion.

“There was no utterance of tribalism by President Edgar Lungu. What he said was that there was a problem with UPND [United Party for National Development]. That only when they change their leader will they have an opportunity or chance to win an election,” Chief Luchembe said. He said persons perpetuating the tribalism tag should desist because Zambia was above such petty politics.

Chief Luchembe said many lessons could be learnt from the Rwanda genocide.

“People should relate and not be selfish and foolish,” he said.

He

Lungu’s urged President enemies who were twisting his statements to be realistic and think about tomorrow, and not be selfish only thinking of themselves with what they would gain from their lies.

Chief Luchembe said although there were just a few people like Senior Chief Mukuni trying to cause confusion just for political mileage their uncouth behaviour should be condemned.

He urged the media to play a unifying role of quenching the tribal campaign.

Chief Luchembe said there was only one Zambia and today no one could claim to be a pure Bemba, Lozi, Chewa nor Tonga because of intermarriages, which was a sign of being one people.

“I have two of my children who are married to Lozi and the other one to a Tonga,” the chief said.