Nkoyas spurn Lozi approaches

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:01:27 +0000

A letter of reconciliation by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) to the Nkoya Royal Establishment (NRE) over contentious issues between the two has been rejected.

According to reports obtained by the Daily Nation, the reconciliation letter was aimed at bringing both parties together to discuss issues of concern such as the secession bid and land wrangles.

But the Nkoyas condemned the manner in which the procedure of delivering the letter to two Nkoya chiefs, Mwene Kahare and Mwene Mutondo through their spokesperson Chihene was done.

Nkoya Royal Council Chairman Edwin Nkomesha explained that the letter received by royal spokesperson (Chihene), was rejected because the author who is BRE Ngambela Clement Sinyinda was expected to have met his counterpart in person.

“Yes we rejected the letter for reconciliation because it did not follow the correct procedure. They know how we handle royal matters, and because of that we feel undermined by our friends who want to be always thinking on our behalf,” he said.

Mr Nkomesha said the Lozis had made a lot of decisions without consulting them, adding that they were already involved in a number of issues without consulting the Nkoyas, a situation he said would make negotiations difficult. “The problem with our friends (the Lozis), they are talking about reconciliation, but they are already ahead of the programmes and how can we talk when in some issues they have already engaged the international community, without informing us, “he said.

But Lozi officials insisted the delivery of the letter was done in a correct manner and could not understand why the Nkoyas were complaining.

“Some of the matters can just complicate straight forward issues, and I am appealing to the Nkoyas to be genuine so that everything is done in a straight way. We cannot continue blaming on one another on internal issues that can be resolved once and for all.” an official said.

The Lozis claimed the letter that was being referred to was in response to the Nkoyas who had been complaining about certain issues.

However, the Ngambela could not be reached for a comment.