Kalulushi Town Clerk, Maxwell Kabanda, says the National Constitution Conference (NCC) should not adopt article 260 (1) (b) in the Mung’omba draft constitution that allows chiefs to actively participate in active politics. According to Article, a Chief may participate in political activities and stand for any elective public office.
Mr Kabanda said chiefs were supposed to be attending to problems in a particular area and needed to be readily available to resolve the differences within their chiefdoms.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Kalulushi today that it was not in order for a chief to be involved in active politics because doing so would promote divisions and such a chief would loose respect from the people.
“I would not, personally, be happy to see a chief being drawn into a political arena where he is reduced, demeaned and clustard with all sorts of aspirations and insults that go with politicking,” Said Mr Kabanda.
Mr Kabanda noted that it was not necessary for the NCC to include this clause in the new constitution as these people deserved respect and should stay in the palace where the language was civil.
Some residents of Kalulushi have said that the NCC should consider adopting clauses in the Draft Constitution which would benefit a lot of people and would not injure them.
Benny Chiyesu of Kalulushi said that it was important for the NCC to look seriously onto the issue of adopting the clauses which allowed chiefs to be participating in active politics because he thought that was not necessary as it wouldoverburden them with work.
Mr Chiyesu added that for a chief to be involved in active politics, he would have a lot of responsibilities by the end of the day and that would make him fail to deliver to the expectations of the people.
He said that if chiefs were to be participating in active politics, they would concentrate more on issues that gave them money, hence forgetting their duties in the palace.
And Marble Mironde, also of Kalulushi, said the clause that allows chiefs to be participating in active politics should not be considered as traditional rulers were above politics and looked at people’s problems.
Mrs Mironde observed that a chief was like a government worker who was suppose to be non-partisan, because if he participated in active politics, he would bring tribalism which would bring division among the people.
However, Rev Paul Bwalya of Trinity Church says that chiefs should not participate in active politics, but all that government could do was to make them comfortable.
Rev Bwalya said that government should build chiefs good houses, give them good vehicles, pay them good salaries and proper pensions so that they stop eyeing for money because they thought by joining politics , they would have a lot of money.
He said he wanted chiefs to be comfortable regardless of their tribe.
Meanwhile, Kalulushi District Commissioner, Joshua Mutisa, has said that the NCC should not allow chiefs to be subjected to political appointments because of their status in the community as that would encourage tribalism.
Mr Mutisa pointed out that involving chiefs in active politics would make them loose respect from their subjects as they were above politics.
And Chief Mwenechambo of the Butambo people in Isoka district has opposed the proposal in the Mung’omba Draft Constitution which allows Chiefs to participate in political activities.
In an interview with ZANIS in Chililabombwe, Chief Mwenechambo said traditional rulers risked loosing respect from their subjects with opposite political views once they began to actively participate in politics.
However, Chief Mwenechambo said traditional rulers needed to play an advisory role to politicians whenever misunderstandings ensued unlike actively getting involved in politics and stand for elective positions that required campaigning.
He said a situation where chiefs become active in politics would disadvantage their subjects as they would be preoccupied with political activities at the expense of serving their communities.
Chief Mwenechambo, whose chiefdom border’s Malawi, further said traditional rulers were not supposed to use their influence and support a particular candidate in an election if the country was to uphold the tenets of democracy.
ZANIS/ENDS/EZ/EB
Sounds good to me. Let me read properly first.
Am also on the opposing side!
iam the one
I too oppose because how do I openly differ with my chief?
[-([-([-([-(
are we getting back to unip era where chiefs were mcc parading before a president who is a subject. Remember service chiefs were nominated MPs. Interesting!
traditional rulers are not suppose to be involved in politics.Should spearhead the role as advisors.
If chiefs want politics let them quit their thrones and we will see if they can raise to the level of a ward counselor.
On the other, chiefs should not be mistaken for joining politics if they observe a wrong doing by the govt.Everyone has a right to speech.
If chiefs want politics let them quit their thrones and we will see if they can raise to the level of a ward counselor.
On the other hand, chiefs should not be mistaken for joining politics if they observe a wrong doing by the govt.Everyone has a right to speech.
They have natural power through inheritance which they exercise already with the help of advisors. They also have the ‘House of Chiefs’ through which they can voice concerns. These two routes give them enough ground for them to participate in national issues.
Let our Chiefs/Kings find more productive ways of working with Local Councillors and MPs. Let them fight for things like DUAL CITIZENSHIP for the their people who are working away from home.
Drop that clause please! Ububufumu bucindika abene :-w
We have already denied to accept this.
As heir to the throne…I don’t support this article
No need, how much more power do they need? this is not a Kingdom please!
Let them spearhead as advisers agree with # 7
why should they even think of that,we already have so many issues in different chiefdoms that needs to be sorted out so why give the chiefs extra work,its not on and chiefs are mostly too much into ifyamitimiti so thats what they want to take to parliament awe!!!lets spare them the trouble.we will just have more wrangles. :o:o:o:o:o
#12 Dr Mature
Are you ready to go through the whole process,its not easy to be a chief.you are the next heir to which throne???? [-x[-x[-x
Let the chiefs decide for themselves, after all it’s One **==**==, One Nation.
Most of them are illitrate drunk womanizers. They want 4/4s instead of tractors. Most of those cars are now damaged. Apart from wanting freeeee money , what developmental issues do these pipo deal with ?. It was FJT who started bribing them to make their subjects vote for him.
They are only a handfull of usefull chiefs. The rest are all illitare drunks. How can you hope to have illitreate pipo leading developmental issues ?
The constitution should not be used to bar chiefs from participating in politices, we know that in the past chiefs used to participate in active politics and they was nothing wrong with that till the master dribler(Chiluba)changed the 1996 constitution to stop certain people from participating in politics/elections-senior chief Inyambo and 1st Pres. Kaunda were the targets. A chief should be able to decide whether or not to participate. Having a law that discrininates people is a violation of human rights. Therefore, the recommendation by the Mungómba CRC should be respected.
I dont think we will see any more chiefs in politics now coz government will soon purchase some vehicles for them and with ukwenda ubwikele i dont think the guys will be motivated to go into active politics i just dont know about my mbuya mpezeni. :d
PAY CHIEFS WELL FOR THEM TO FORGET POLITICS. LET THEM RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT AS MPs AND MINISTERS.
DON’T BE SELFISH CHIEFS ARE POORLY PAID HENCE LINING UP FOR H.E.
CHIEFS SHUD ALSO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL AGENDAS SO THAT THEY LED THEIR CHIEFDOMS WELLS
fireman
ala napapata that name sounds really weired.just get back to the original one.kwati nikumushi muli ha ha ha.dont kill me
:o:o:o:o:o:o:o
Town Clerk you are right.
Matworld, Zoe, Ba Moze, Sharp shooter, Nine chale,Rashid Jones Tionge HAPPY VALENTINE. INE NACHILILA. Ndeufwafye ubowa.
They shud just concetrate on ruling their people,bekale fye nabena mushi banabo! :o:o
IMFUMU NI NDOSHI AND IF ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVE POLITICS ANYONE OPPOSING THEM WOULD BE BEWITCHED AND LIFE WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULTY FOR THAT PARTICULAR PERSON IF HE/SHE COMES LIVES IN THE SAME WITH THE CHIEF
The people we call chiefs are very corrupt in their state,lets not even try to bring them into politics.I equally agree with the comissioners of not involving these characters in politics. Look how they manipulate their subjects during elections, this is why we have people like Dora in Government, let them continue presiding over issue’s regarding “sexual cleasing” “witchcraft” “cattle rustling'” “succession disputes” e.t.c and not more involving issues like politics these are way above their respective leagues. [-(
Chiefs are kings on their own. So why should’nt they have a say in their own country?
:-\”
Let chiefs concentrate on issues in their chiefdoms and encourage the subjects to work hard.Some time back, there was nothing like hunger threaten that area in chief ABCD.In addtion,they also have the House of Chiefs.So what else is needed for the chiefs? To be called only Mps without substance? let them give chance to the young ones.
There is so much character assination in politics which brings about loss of respect from the public while chieves enjoy the respects that come with just being the heir to the throne where you dont really need to be accepted by your people. I wonder if they want to lose this free respect which they enjoy and start receiving insults from all conners through politics. its a pity, they already have a chance to contribute to the development of the country and I guess this will be the same responsibility even in politics or is it that they is something more they need which will definately come with a baggage? Let them lead their people and contribute just where they are or contribute to tribalism
It definitely does not make any sense to think about actively involving chiefs in politics. The problem we have is that everybody thinks that in Zambia you can only be rich if you are a politician-and it is true because this is what has happened.The new constitution should be seeking ways and means of strengthening traditional chiefs in Zambia as opposed to the path of destroying this if the clause in question is included.
Please NCC see this naked sense!!
LT we are all waiting for this week’s pictures.
My l-) instinct tells that you already have them.
Bring >:/
Especially Mphezeni and tonga chiefs.These are the major couprits. Most tonga chiefs brought themselves to a very low level because of money during 2008 elections.
I totally oppose. Can you imagin all the things we say about politicians…….saying such things to a Chief? Its just not right. Once you become a politician you lose all the respect. Its like you have an incurable disease. The likes of VJ, Teta etc. You cannot compare such people to our chiefs.
I think NCC has run out of ideas. There’re other issues that can be talked about
33. SISTER ,
Let them get involved if they can handle the pressure.
Chiefs are a Scrap. They promote witchcraft in the nation. They should be done away with. Let DCs take over their minor roles…
G BABY # 16 Sorry, I won’t disclose my chiefdom on LT for traditional reasons but i am from Northern Province. You also mentioned imiti…awe not all chiefs are “Abaloshi” you will be surprised to find good men and women of christ among these chiefs. However I will only accept the throne when I am above 50 years old. To tell the truth I have lost much touch though I am always reminded. I have been out of Zambia for 13 years……
No please
[-([-([-([-( :o:o
lakeni ubufi 😮
Fred Mmembe wanted to buy Zamtel-Siliya
Transport and Communications minister Dora Siliya has revealed that Post Newspaper owner and Editor Fred Mmembe had applied to buy shares in Zamtel. Ms. Siliya told parliament Friday that Mr. Mmembe approached the ministry over the matter and also over another matter of acquiring a licence to operate a mobile phone company. Ms. Siliya said her ministry rejected the offer.Ms. Siliya was speaking in parliament when the issue of engaging RP partners of Cayman Islands to value the assets of Zamtel came under scrutiny.Ms Siliya said no law or procedure was broken. The Post Newspaper has been running stories on the matter stating that Ms. Silya flouted pr
Chiefs are respectable people in society…and politics being a dirty game. Anyway another view is that they will influence their subjects to be biased towards them on polical matters for reasons of wanting to please them than that of merit & right of choice.
Zedians you can condemn all but let them participate in the affairs of the country.Nothing wrong with these guys to express interest in politics:d
One Zed one Nation and Democracy plays a major role to govern human being :((
Chief Bright Nalubamba has already been there as a politician in parliament, Minister and ambassador and a reigning chief. How much respect did he loose? How much tribalism did he generate?
Let us get his(Chief Nalubamba’s) informed opinion, as oposed to listening only to people who could just be scared of contesting for the same seat with a chief. Chiefs have been known to loose seats to their subjects in the past. Let democracy separate winners from loosers among citizens. A chief goes back to palace after loosing and a commoner back in the streets. :)>-:)>-:)>-:)>-:)>-
Chiefs should be neutral to cater for all tneir subjects,but support the govt in power to develop the state. **==**==
does it snow in australia some one to answer that question for me.
Zambian Chiefs are not any lesser or more Zambians than others like me. I am thus for the idea that the NCC should include the clause to allow Chiefs to participate in politics although they MUST be forced to quit their positions as chiefs before joining active politics.
Please, NCC remember to include a clause that the GRZ MUST spend 20% of its projects money by allocating it to New Small Businesses that will be baised towards Research and Development.
This move will help University Graduates to start up comapnies which will generate more jobs for the Zambian population.
Such a clause is included in the USA Constitution and has worked very well over the years.
LOL. LT is now moderating contributions? Yashupa
Surely a normal person can support that? If they want to join politics, let them leave there palaces once and for whole. I can see people don’t want to be respected! How I wish I am from the royal family! NCC is wasting time on discussing useless issues leaving out sensitive issues that can benefit poor Zedians, Things like vice president, 50+1 and inact the constitution before 2011 elections.
am i the only jew who thought chiefs do engange in politics,eg they would encourage their subjects to vote for a particular person in a party if not whole party.
I thought the chiefs participate in politics through the House of Chiefs? Do people want to have in addition a Parliament of Chiefs?
I also Disagree in black and white chiefs should not at all be involved in active politics coz doing so will encourage tribalism like what happened in last presidential by- election in Eastern province were people were told to vote for RB, by Chiefs who were telling people that “WAKWANU NI WAKWANU”‘and people by the end of the Campaign were like “ATI KAYILI A CHIEF EKAMBA KALE”
I agree and disagree! I disagree on principle and moral ethics. However, in reality, it appears in the plight of chiefs, let alone rural Zambians, would be better if chiefs participate activelly in politics. On principle, I suppose the right and perfect step is for chieves to be inclussive while governing affairs in their kingdom. However, guys, the government has cast a blind eye and deaf ears to the plight of chiefs and their subjects. Politicians only remember villagers at election times. For this reason, it is justified for chiefs to embark on active politics.
I strongly opporse the Chief,s involvement in politics as this will dillute the confidence that the commnunity has in them.If this clause is adopted then the chiefs should also be elected into office.
I hope this is not Teta again.