PF defends Luapula chiefs

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:23:15 +0000

By CHARLES MUSONDA

CHIEFS must be respected and not dragged in divisive politics being practiced by some disgruntled politicians whose sole aim is to go to State House at all costs, a senior Patriotic Front (PF) member has charged.

In an interview in Lusaka, Boniface Botha said it was disrespectful for anyone to allege that Luapula chiefs were paid to dissociate themselves from Bahati Member of Parliament Harry Kalaba.

Last week some sections of the media quoted an unidentified chief saying the traditional leaders, who met at Henry Courtyard hotel in Mansa last week, were paid by a senior government official to denounce Mr. Kalaba over his recent resignation from Cabinet as Foreign Affairs minister.

But Mr. Botha said he did not think that chiefs could sink so low and accept bribes for them to disown Mr. Kalaba.

“Kalaba as for now is a prodigal son, a rebel and as such I don’t think the chiefs can support him,” Mr. Botha said.

He warned some media outlets to be factual and avoid publicising information that was aimed at sowing seeds of discord in the nation.

“They should not try to sway people’s minds through lies. Zambians are very truthful people and I don’t think their minds can be swayed by cheap politicking. This kind of reporting is just aimed at bringing President Lungu down and divide the nation for selfish interests,” Mr. Botha said.