Maravi

Chief Mwamba seeks advice on Chimbuka, Chewe’s recognition

Chief Mwamba seeks advice on Chimbuka, Chewe’s recognition
By Staff Reporters
Wed 04 Nov. 2009, 04:00 CAT

SENIOR chief Mwamba of the Bemba people of Kasama has sought professional advice from the Clerk of the House of Chiefs on whether to recognise Chimbuka and Chewe as chiefs or not.

In his letter dated November 2, 2009 chief Mwamba stated that he was forced to seek his guidance because of the numerous press statements from the 'so-called chiefs Chimbuka and Chewe'.

"But according to the Bemba political structure as highlighted by W.V. Brelsford in Succession of Bemba Chiefs: The appointments of chiefs lies primarily with the Paramount in Council, which is the Superior Native Authority, but as is natural, government retains the power to overriding this organisation at any time," he stated.
"On the other hand, Dr Audrey Richards in Political System of the Bemba Tribe wrote:

'Authority, power and prerogative depend upon descent and kinship and all branches of the royal clan can claim connection with the original family of which a traditional Chitimukulu was head. The Chitimukulu is the oldest name of a royal chief. It is the name carried by the most senior members of the crocodile totem and as such it demands the most respect. His temporal power is the greatest of the chiefs. He lives in and rules Lubemba, the stronghold of the tribe, and all appointments of chiefs to help him hold the widening sphere of Bemba rule come from him'."

Chief Mwamba stated that according to Section 2 of the Chiefs Act Cap 287 of the Laws of Zambia, a chief is a person recognised under the Act as the holder of an office specified by Section 3.

"The said Section 3 provides: Subject to the provisions of this Section, the President may, by Statutory Order, recognise any person as being, within the area in Zambia specified in the order... the office of Paramount Chief, Senior Chief, Chief or Sub Chief,'' he stated.

"However, these two men claiming to be Bemba chiefs have not been recognised by neither of the authorities. Yulaya Mumba claims to have been appointed by the late senior chief Nkula, but this claim has been rebutted by Andrew Roberts who in A History of the Bemba wrote: 'No chief really has or had power to bequeath his country to another."

Labels: CHIEFS

posted by MrK @ 4:50 AM