Stay away, Tongas tell govt

Sun, 01 Oct 2017 09:12:28 +0000

By Andrew Mukoma

BARELY  a week after Senior Chief Mukuni of Kazungula district in Southern Province snubbed government officials from officiating at the Bene Mukuni traditional ceremony, another Tonga chief in the province has done it.

This time around it is Chief Monze in colloboration with Chief Hamusonde of the Tonga speaking people in Southern Province, the stronghold of UPND.

Government  was informed by Chief Monze that they are not welcome because their presence may lead to violence. This is because the United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema (HH),  has been invited to grace the occasion alongside the House of  Chiefs chairperson, Chief Ngabwe. MrHichilema is expected to make his appearance tomorrow after failing to show up yesterday despite hundreds of people waiting for him at the ceremony.

There are no clear reasons that have been made by chiefs in Southern Province to declare a hostile relationship with government.

Despite not inviting government officials from gracing the occasion, Chief Monze just like Mukuni has invited UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibamze Simuchoba confirmed the provincial administration’s was not invited or welcome at the event.

Mr. Simuchoba said that according to Chief Monze’s reasoning, the administration was told that if any government official went to officiate, then there would be violence.

“I am not the one officiating as far as I know there is no government official officiating,” he said.

“We had a request from Chief Monze and he specifically told us that they have invited the chairperson of the house of Chiefs to officiate,” he said.

Mr. Simuchoba said that Chief Monze said that if a government officiated at the Lwiindi Gonde ceremony, there would be violence.

“I can’t say they said government should stay away but it amounts to that. I don’t know if there will be violence if we speak or our presence will be taken as proactive,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Monze District Commissioner Cyprian Hamanyanga also stated there was no government official needed at the ceremony.

Mr. Hamanyanga further stayed away from Monze town after UPND cadres viciously harassed perceived PF member.

When queried over the absence of government at the event, Chief Hamusonde said it was “the norm”, before driving off.