Rufunsa residents differ over constituency delimitation
PEOPLE of Rufunsa have differed over the delimitation of the constituency following a proposal that the constituency be divided into two.
This came to light during the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) consultative delimitation meeting held from July 25 to 29.
The meeting was attended by political party leaders, civic organisations, the town council chairman and residents.
The meeting proposed that the constituency be divided into two, with one constituency being called Rufunsa East and the other Rufunsa West. However, after the meeting the name, Rufunsa West was rejected by some people in the proposed constituency which is in Chief Bundabunda’s chiefdom.
They also differed on the proposed boundary. One of the representatives from this part of Rufunsa, a former Member of Parliament, Kenneth Chipungu, is reported to be championing the name Chunyunyu because of its significance.
A source told the Daily Nation that the Bundabunda chiefdom and part of Rufunsa want the constituency to be called Chinyunu, sighting the significance of the name as pointing to Chinyunyu Hot Springs which is a national heritage site.
“This would help to market the heritage site,” the source said. Mr. Emmanuel Tembo who is Rufunsa district Patriotic Front chairman said in an interview that the consultative meeting was well attended and that some decisions were reached after a vote. Mr. Tembo said the people in Chief Bundabunda’s area have petitioned the ECZ over the name, Rufunsa West and are proposing the name, Chinyunyu constituency. He however said that, it was important for people to look at it from an objective side and make progress because they were one district.
He said the boundary and name were unanimously agreed by the meeting participants.
In the latest twist the Inamwimba Shibuchinga Royal Establishment has condemned the manner Senior Chief Chiwala is handling the chieftainship the impasse.
THE succession wrangle in the Shibuchinga chiefdom on the Copperbelt has continued as factions of the royal family feud over the next chief.
Since the death of Chief Shibuchinga last year members of the royal family have split into two camps with each claiming to be nearer the throne on the family tree.
In the latest twist the Inamwimba Shibuchinga Royal Establishment has condemned the manner Senior Chief Chiwala is handling the chieftainship the impasse.
The royal establishment has accused Chief Chiwala of involving people who are not in the succession lineage.
Spokesperson Victor Kalesha said Chief Chiwala, who is the chairperson of the Royal Council, was making decisions that could cause confusion in the chiefdom.
“The wrangles in Chief Shibuchinga are being orchestrated by Chief Chiwala himself by his failure to understand the family tree and respect it.
“We would like the Shibuchinga chieftainship family tree to be corrected at this stage to avoid future wrangles, and that’s what we are telling Chief Chiwala to do, but he is so compromised that he is taking his way,” Mr Kalesha said.
The House of Chiefs, he said, had records of wrangles that erupted in the Shibuchinga chiefdom between 1997 and 2007 caused by the same group that has interest in the chieftainship which would not be tolerated.
“We humbly request Chief Chiwala if he has any integrity to protect to rescue himself and let the succession guidance be done by the owners of the clan comprising of Senior Chief Mushili, Chief Nkambo, Chieftainess Shimukunami, Chief Mukutuma and Chief Nkana,” Mr Kalesha said.
The royal family, he said, were disappointed with Chief Chiwala’s way of leadership which he described as dictatorship.
“We are not asking for too much but we want correction to the Shibuchinga family tree once and for all to avoid future disputes,” Mr Kalesha said.