WE WILL NOT DETHRONE CHITIMUKULU – UPND ALLIANCE
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
WE will not dethrone Chitimukulu because he remains part and parcel of UPND Alliance government, economic and developmental transformation agenda for the country, says Alliance spokesperson Lesile Chikuse.
While in opposition, the UPND Alliance had a rough relationship with Chief Chitimukulu who they accused of supporting the former ruling party.
Mr Chikuse said the Alliance government has no grudge against any Chief including the Chitimukulu and that whatever misunderstanding that could have happened in the past is now water under the bridge.
“Whatever happened in the past between us and the Chitimukulu is now water under the bridge and going forward we want to work with him to achieve development for our people,” he said.
Mr Chikusu said the Alliance will continue respecting the traditional leadership in the country because of the key role they continue to play not only in achieving peace and unity, but also in fostering development in the country.
He said the Alliance government appreciates that traditional leaders are the backbone of unity, peace and harmony in the country adding that under the new government, chiefs will be left at liberty to run the affairs of their chiefdoms without interference.
Mr Chikusu said it’s sad that the previous regime turned traditional leaders into party cadres which resulted in them diverting from the role of uniting the people.
He said government will engage all traditional leaders because they cannot be divorced from the country’s developmental agenda.
“Traditional leaders cannot be divorced from the developmental agenda of the country because of the key role they play in preserving peace and mobilizing subjects to achieve development,” he said.
Mr Chikusu said chiefs are custodians of land and other natural resources needed to transform the country and therefore the desire of the UPND Alliance government is to work with them to ensure the living standard of citizens improved.
