By KALOBWE BWALYA
THE UPND has rubbished reports suggesting that President Hakainde Hichilema snubbed Paramount Chief Chitimukulu when he visited the province to lay a wreath on the grave of freedom fighter, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe.
Party spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa yesterday told the press that President Hichilema had been on a tight schedule but would make time to go and pay a courtesy on the Mwinelubemba later.
But Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) leader, Sean Tembo has scoffed at Mr Mweetwa’s explanation saying it did not make sense for the President to visit junior chiefs and not the Paramount Chief.
Mr Tembo said the same thing happened when the President went to Eastern Province to campaign in the Kaumbwe and Lusangazi elections and failed to visit Paramount Chief Mpezeni.
Mr Mweetwa said President Hichilema visited Chief Chikwanda and Chief Mukwikile of Muchinga Province who represented the traditional leadership.
Mr Mweetwa said President Hichilema’s plane did not land in Kasama, but in Chinsali where he had a specific function tied to time.
He however said the President would visit paramount chiefs later.
“The Presidential visit to the Northern Province was about laying a wreath on the late freedom fighter, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe’s grave,” said Mr Mweetwa.
Meanwhile, Mr Mweetwa said government was aware of concerns by the general public regarding delayed appointments of permanent secretaries and district commissioners among others.
He urged the general public to be patient as the process was ongoing because government wants to make appointments on merit.
He said government was aware of the concerns and it is not paying a blind eye, but would ensure that creditable people are put in offices and be able to deliver to people’s expectations.
He said the Head of state was taking precautions to ensure that the people appointed to high office are qualified and do not have any questionable character.
And Mr Mweetwa emphasized that the civil service was not political or tribal as was the case in the previous regime.
He said the President wanted Civil servants to know that they were not part of the ruling party, but government even when there was a change of leadership.
