Maravi

(DAILY MAIL) Masebo warns traditional leaders

Masebo warns traditional leaders
By REBECCA CHILESHE and KANGWA MULENGA

MINISTER of Local Government and Housing, Sylvia Masebo, has warned that she will not hesitate to recommend to President Mwanawasa to de-register chiefs whose families are constantly in succession disputes. And the 15 Nsenga headmen apprehended in Petauke for attempting to block President Mwanawasa’s motorcade on Saturday would be charged with unlawfully assembly and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Ms Masebo said in Lusaka yesterday at a press briefing that succession disputes were retrogressive to the development of the country.

She condemned the protest staged by the headmen from Chief Mwanjabantu’s area in Petauke saying the behaviour was unnecessary, especially that chiefdoms had family trees, which were supposed to be followed upon the death of the incumbent chief.

The 15 headmen apprehended were among 100 others who attempted to block President Mwanawasa’s motorcade in Petauke on Saturday to protest over the succession disputes involving Chief Mwanjabantu.

“Most of these succession disputes are due to greed because the positions have become lucrative. Even where boundaries are clear, some traditional leaders are still encroaching on other people’s land and even selling it.

“Government is concerned and President Mwanawasa is not happy about such disputes. He has been advising traditional leaders to sort out disputes amicably instead of dragging each other to court,” she said.

Ms Masebo said Government was not responsible for appointing chiefs, as that was the duty of the families of traditional leaders.

She said it was the duty of chiefs’ families to sit and recommend successors of deceased rulers to avoid wrangles.

She said Government would continue to use the existing family trees whenever it was asked to mediate in succession wrangles.

And Eastern Province Police Commanding officer, Emlyn Mushondwa, said yesterday in an interview that the behaviour of the 15 headmen from Chief Mwanjabantu’s area was unacceptable, especially in the presence of President Mwanawasa.

“We shall charge them with unlawfully assembly and also for attempting to block the Presidential motorcade. What kind of traditional leaders are these who can behave in such a manner?’’ Mr Mushondwa asked.

He said although the 15 headmen would be released on police bond, they would be taken to court to answer Police charges.

The 15 Nsenga headmen allegedly wanted to present a petition to Dr Mwanawasa at Chimwemwe Lodge in Petauke but were blocked on account of the President being in the district on MMD business.

After the headmen were prevented from presenting the petition to Dr Mwanawasa, they converged on the junction of Petauke and the Great East roads to protest against the security measures.

Later, the headmen attempted to block the Presidential motorcade before 15 of them were apprehended by the police and were remanded in custody at Petauke Police Station.

Labels: CHIEFS, EASTERN PROVINCE, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 11:20 PM