Maravi

Masebo’s suspension angers Chongwe traditional leaders

Masebo’s suspension angers Chongwe traditional leaders
By Bright Mukwasa in Chongwe
Mon 20 June 2011, 07:30 CAT

CHONGWE Constituency has rejected the MMD following the suspension of area member of parliament Sylvia Masebo from the party. And Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II has praised The Post for speaking on behalf of the voiceless in society. Meanwhile, Masebo says she is surprised that she has been suspended from the MMD for no apparent and valid reason.

During a meeting for the Chakwela Makumbi traditional ceremony of the Soli people of Lusaka province attended by over 300 headmen on Saturday, the local leadership decided not to vote for the MMD on account of underdevelopment, buttressing Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II’s complaint.

“Here if there’s no Masebo, there’s no MMD,” read part of the resolutions of the communiqué issued after the meeting.

During the same meeting, chairman of the Chakwela Makumbi Traditional Ceremony, senior headman Kapuka said the people of the province ‘felt used by political parties with no development to show for it.’

“Young people here don’t want to hear MMD mentioned because it is an expiring party now. You see whatever we decide we can do it. We are a lot. We have about 55,000 votes here; we can even beat the 35,000 you’re talking about.’’

The meeting also tasked the area MP to begin consultations on which party she would prefer to join in order for them to know her stance in ‘the earliest possible time.’

And chieftainess Nkomeshya said The Post has acquitted itself well in communicating on behalf of the voiceless in the country.

“I just want to thank you the newspapers, especially you The Post. I thank you and thank you. I am saying what I said then and there were all media with all cameras, government media to which I am a taxpayer. I have the right that what I have said should be heard by the people, no matter how wrong. The people will judge me, not to suppress me,” chieftainess Nkomeshya said.

She said if The Post had not covered the meeting she addressed previously, her cries would not have been heard.

“To those outside the country that supported what I said, I want to say thank you, thank you very much. There is nothing I can give you.’’

“You’re a paper (The Post) that communicates for those people with no voices. I can’t go to the radio, I can’t go to ZNBC. You have come to our aid. I have no regret to pass my message through The Post.’’

The senior chieftainess said her earlier comments had not gone down well with some people.

“Some people have been saying that I will be brought down over my statement but why should I be afraid? After all, I have already been brought down a long time ago,” she said.

Senior chieftainess Nkomeshya said she had forgiven her headmen that were being paraded on TV to refute her statement about underdevelopment in her chiefdom as she was aware they were being abused.

The senior chieftainess also urged the people in her chiefdom to rally behind Masebo’s move in case she decided to join another political party.

“If she makes a decision, let’s rally behind her. If I want I can make this chiefdom a no go area for political parties. I’m not fighting anybody, but they are fighting me.”

“After she does her consultations, whichever way Sylvia decides to go, we should support her because she has been a true representative of the people.’’
She said following what was happening, she could be forced to support a political party she never even thought of.

“2011 is a year of reconciliation, 2011 is a year of peace, and 2011 is year of justice. I want that peace, that justice to prevail by giving you what you’re entitled to.’’

Senior chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II urged her people to stop the selling of huge pieces of land unnecessarily as they would have no land left for themselves and their generations.

And Masebo said she was not aware of any misconduct to warranty her suspension.

“Do you suspend someone for telling you they’re not standing with you? In fact, I’m being honest because I could have pretended until the last minute. They are saying they are suspending me, for what?”

“I’m not in a hurry to join any political party. I’ll do the consultations and then see which way forward.’’

The MMD has suspended Masebo, who is also the party’s chairperson for women affairs, citing misconduct.

Labels: CHIEFS, CHIEFTIANESS NKOMESHYA, MMD, SYLVIA MASEBO, THE POST

posted by MrK @ 6:39 PM