‘UPND plotting to dethrone Chitimukulu’

BEMBA chiefs have accused UPND of planning to dethrone Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Chitimukulu if they form Government in 2021.

BEMBA chiefs have accused UPND of planning to dethrone Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Chitimukulu if they form Government in 2021. This follows continued attacks on Paramount Chief Chitimukulu by UPND deputy secretary general, Patrick Mucheleka. In a statement signed by chiefs Mumporokoso, Mukwikile, Shibwalyakapila, Mubanga, Chipalo, Luchembe and Chikwanda, the traditional leaders said the continued attacks by a senior member of the UPND confirmed that the party intended to dispose Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Chitimukulu in 2021. “We wish to make it clear that we are now fed up with the utterances and all demeaning remarks by one of your senior members of the UPND management committee. Mr. Mucheleka on the radio station each time he visits Kasama. These continuous attacks on radio by your senior member confirms what appeared in the Daily Nation paper of 16th October 2018, under the heading, ‘opposition intends to dispose Henry Kanyanta Sosala as Chitimukulu in 2021’,” the statement read in part. The chiefs, who outlined Paramount Chitimukulu’s lineage threatened to call for llamfya, the Bemba Supreme Council and inform them of UPND’s intention to destroy the Bemba tribe when they come into power. “When you fight the Paramount Chief, you fight the entire Bemba tribe, we are therefore capable of instructing all our village headmen to explain to the people of your ill intentions. So, stop it!,” they said. The chiefs observed that the UPND intentions were to divide the country and that they do not mean well for Zambia. They pointed out that after the 2016 presidential and general elections, Bembas in Namwala were mistreated and the UPND remained mute over the issue. “Slowly we turn to believe that this could be your deliberate policy!,” the chiefs stated. The chiefs expressed disappointment that the UPND management committee where Mr. Mucheleka sits, truly supports attacks on Paramount Chief Chitimukulu and Bembas. They however said whatever hidden agenda the UPND had could never be realised in any way. The traditional leaders also urged UPND to cage and tame Mr Mucheleka.