By SIMON MUNTEMBA
SENIOR Chief Mukuni should play a reconciliatory role of uniting the country rather than taking a partisan stance of calling for the removal of former President Edgar Lungu’s immunity on flimsy grounds which has the potential to cause tension, Chief Mpepo has warned.
Chief Mpepo has also warned that those in power should realise that they would never be in power forever as the same tools they unfairly use against former national leaders would be used against them.
In an interview, Chief Mpepo said it was the role of Parliament to call for the lifting of a former President’s immunity if any law was abrogated and not a traditional leader.
“Us as traditional leaders have limits where we should end in terms of commenting on political matters, because removing the President’s immunity is purely a constitutional matter. It is not the chief’s responsibility to call for the removal of immunity for the former President.
“As Chiefs, we don’t have those powers. We have where our powers as traditional leaders end. That is a constitutional matter and it should be debated in Parliament, not from some palace somewhere, no.
“So, I am very disappointed by the call by Senior Chief Mukuni that President Lungu’s immunity should be removed. He shouldn’t come out in the open like that as a traditional leader who should take a reconciliatory role. As traditional leaders, we should take all politicians as our own children. Traditional leaders should take a reconciliatory role not polarising a situation so that we have a North and South Pole in terms of politics. We should be seen to be reconciling and to make peace so that we live in peace and harmony. Otherwise, it is unfortunate that the big man (Mukuni) would make such a remark,” he said.
Chief Mpepo also warned that calls for President Lungu’s immunity have potential to cause anarchy in the country more especially that some citizens felt that he did a lot for the nation.
“That potentially can cause tension in the country because there are a lot of people who appreciate what the former President (Mr Lungu) did for this country. Going along that path would be very dangerous,” he said.
He added, “It will be very dangerous taking that route because as at now, there are a lot of challenges that the country is going through. The nation will not head anywhere, we will continue sliding back into poverty.”
Chief Mpepo also warned those in power to treat others fairly because they would need the same treatment once out of power.
“Governments don’t live forever, there is always a change. I am not cursing anyone but in Bemba we say umwando udoselako ubiyo, eonaiwe bakakudoselako. Meanng the same rope you use to pull your friend, will be used on you too,” he said.
On Thursday, Senior Chief Mukuni of Kazungula called for the removal of former President Lungu’s immunity to facilitate investigations of alleged corruption during his teinure.
He said no stone should be left unturned in the fight against corruption by the new dawn administration.
Senior Chief Mukuni said there was nothing sinister about calling for the removal of Mr. Lungu’s immunity considering that former President Rupiah Banda and President Frederick Chiluba had their immunities stripped off and arrested.
‘LEAVE LUNGU ALONE’
… Senior Chief Mukuni should leave Lungu alone and allow him to enjoy his retirement peacefully – Chief Mpepo
