By PETER SICHALI BEMBA
Chiefs and the Kola Foundation have condemned the parading of a ‘bogus’ acclaimed Bemba grouping to disparage President Edgar Lungu. The chiefs have called on Zambians to ignore sentiments by the caricature United Movement for Kola Bemba Kingdom leader, Besa Bwalya who claimed that Bembas would not vote for President Lungu for a remark he made six years ago that for every 10 thieves six were Bemba.
This follows claims by United Movement for Kola Bemba Kingdom leader, Besa Bwalya that Bembas will not vote for President Lungu in the August 12 elections, saying that he called them “thieves.”
Chief Mpepo and Chief Chikwanda said in separate interviews that Bemba chiefs do not recognise the movement because it was formed to spearhead a tribal agenda.
Chief Mpepo said it was not true that Bemba chiefs had vowed not to vote for President Lungu.
He said no Bemba chief had made such a stance because the claims against the Head of State were unfounded.
“As one of the Bemba chiefs, I do not know that movement therefore I do not recognise it and it has no authority to speak on behalf of Bemba chiefs,” Chief Mpepo said.
Chief Mpepo warned the United Movement of Bemba to Kola Kingdom to stop abusing the Bemba people.
“Mr Borniface Besa Bwalya should with immediate effect stop using the name of Bemba to advance their tribal and personal political agendas,” he said.
And Chief Chikwanda said Bemba chiefs had a line of communication whenever it had a statement of that magnitude to make.
Chief Chikwanda said the supremacy of the Bemba people was Paramount Chief Chitimukulu seated in the Council of Bashi Lubemba.
He said the council had no spokesperson therefore Mr Bwalya had no authority to speak on behalf of the Bemba people.
“I wonder where the so-called movement is getting the audacity to speak on behalf of the Bemba people,” he said.
Chief Chikwanda said the movement was banned a long time ago and henceforth should stop speaking on behalf of the Bembas.
He said President Lungu’s joke about Bembas being thieves was a mere joke with his tribal cousins.
Chief Chikwanda said it was clear that Mr Bwalya was sponsored by the opposition to disparage the Bemba people.
Meanwhile, a member of the Kola Foundation, Expendito Chipalo said there had never been any resolution by the foundation not to vote for President Lungu.
Mr Chipalo said the foundation does not engage in tribal politics and called for a stop to the scourge.
