Mwata regrets Levy's illness

Mwata regrets Levy's illness
By Mwala Kalaluka in Kawambwa
Sunday July 27, 2008 [04:00]

MWATA Kazembe of the Lunda people of Luapula Province yesterday said the Lunda royal establishment deeply regretted President Levy Mwanawasa's illness. And police officers reinforcing security at yesterday's Umutomboko Ceremony of the Lunda people manhandled journalists as they jostled to enter Mwata Kazembe's palace to cover his talks with Mwata Yamvwa.

Addressing people at the main arena during the ceremony, Mwata Kazembe asked God to strengthen the first family and prayed for unity in the country in President Mwanawasa's absence.
"We as Lunda royal establishment would like to join hands with the rest of the country to pray for the quick recovery of the President," he said.

Mwata Kazembe also spoke about Mwata Yamvwa of the DRC who graced the Umutomboko for the first time in its history.
He said this year's ceremony was very special for him.

"For the first time from Kola which is our ancestral land, I feel greatly honoured by this gesture. I also feel greatly honoured by Paramount chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba for being the first Chitimukulu to attend the Umutomboko," he said.


"This justifies the fact that we both come from Kola and that we are enjoying a good relationship."
Mwata Kazembe thanked Lunda chiefs from North Western Province, among them Kanongesha, whom he referred to as a brother, for attending Umutomboko and that this would be reciprocated by his royal establishment.

Mwata Kazembe reiterated his desire to work with the government and urged all those issuing disparaging remarks against the Lunda royal establishment to desist from doing so.
"We should aim to work together for the development of the nation," he said.

Mwata Kazembe thanked the government for the Chembe bridge project but said the roads between Chembe and other parts of Luapula including Kashikishi should be worked on urgently.
Earlier, there was commotion as the journalists who were not allowed to attend what was termed a private meeting tried to force their way into Mwata Kazembe's palace.

When Mwata Yamvwa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Katanga Governor Moses Katumbi arrived at the palace to have a private discussion with Mwata Kazembe, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Clemet Siame said not all reporters from DRC and Zambia could be allowed into the palace.

He said only Mwila Mutale, a reporter from the Zambia National broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), would be allowed into the palace.
Siame said the government wanted to have a private discussion with Mwata Kazembe and Mwata Yamvwa and that they needed to be left alone.
At this point, the rest of the journalists tried to force their way into the palace.

But police officers manhandled them and one of the journalists from Zambia Daily Mail, Monica Mayuni, was almost undressed but she was only saved by sympathisers who gave her a chitenge material to cover herself.
Only five journalists from DRC were allowed to attend the meeting.
Mines minister Kalombo Mwansa officiated at the ceremony.
Opposition leaders present included UPND's Hakainde Hichilema, New Generation's Humphrey Siulapwa, some Patriotic Front members of parliament including some chiefs from DRC and Zambia attended the ceremony.