By PETER SICHALI and ROGERS KALERO
IT is irresponsible and tribal for Senior Chief Mukuni to suggest that President Edgar Lungu will be held accountable if anything happened to UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema, Chief Mpepo of the Bemba people of Mpika has said.
Chief Mpepo challenged Senior Chief Mukuni to explain in what capacity he would hold President Lungu accountable if not based on tribal lines
He said it was divisive for Senior Chief Mukuni to suggest that President Lungu would be held accountable if anything happened to Mr Hichilema.
Chief Mpepo said Senior Chief Mukuni has a traditional leader should not take sides when dealing with matters of national importance.
“It is very disappointing that Senior Chief Mukuni was issuing statements that would divide the nation. As traditional leaders these politicians are all our sons and daughters therefore we should not be seen taking sides,” Chief Mpepo said.
He said it was unfortunate that Senior Chief Mukuni had continued to champion tribalism whenever he commented on issues of national interest.
Chief Mpepo said traditional leaders should strive to unite the people as opposed to dividing them.
Meanwhile, Chief Mpepo said Mr Hichilema’s assassination claims had potential to cause civil unrest in the country.
He said it was important for politicians to refrain from issuing statements that have potential to bring about unnecessary panic among citizens.
And the Patriotic Front has warned Senior Chief Mukuni to be ashamed of himself because President Lungu had continued to ignore him despite his numerous tantrums and personal attacks levelled against him.
PF acting Copperbelt provincial chairman Bernard Zulu said President Lungu decided to ignore the personal attacks from Senior Chief Mukuni because he had respect for him as a traditional leader and other traditional leaders in the country.
He said the party was dismayed that Senior Chief Mukuni had taken what happened in Chingola personally where Mr Hichilema and the police had an altercation and had since resorted to attacking President Lungu.
