Late chief Chikupili buried

Central Province Minister Phillip Kosamu  has described the death of chief Chikupili of the Swaka people in mkushi district as a huge loss to the province and the nation as a whole.

Speaking during the burial of chief Chikupili in Mkushi, Mr. Kosamu said the late traditional leader had ruled for 52 years adding that he had marked his reign in power with wisdom and openness.

He said the late chief was renowned for accommodating people of different ethnic groups in his chiefdom adding that the late traditional ruler had set a good precedence that was worth emulating.

He said for this reason, government shared the grief of the Chikupili Royal Establishment and Mkushi people.

Mr. Kosamu said the all embracing stance that the late chief had adopted throughout his reign was important to the efforts aimed at creating a better society.

He added that government also was also aware of the late chief’s willingness to accommodate its development projects.

He noted that the late chief had offered land for government projects in aspects of agriculture and education amongst others.

Mr. Kosamu cited the establishment of Chikupili farm block and Mkushi Copper Mine School as being amongst several projects that were illustrative of the late chief’s willingness to partner with government in development.

He expressed hope that the Chikupili Royal Establishment would select a ruler who would build on the legacy left behind by the late chief Chikupili.

And Chief Chitina of the Swaka people has strongly advised headmen of Chikupili chiefdom to desist from the temptation of selling off land now that their leader had died.

Chief Chitina pointed out that the issue of rampant sell of land was already worrisome in Chief Shaibila’s area which is embroiled in succession wrangles.

He said t it was important for headmen in Chikupili to learn from the illegal sale of land in Shaibila adding that according to the Swaka tradition, only chiefs were vested with the powers to sell land.

The late chief Chikupili, whose name was Joseph Chitumba Salati, died last Sunday evening at Mkushi district hospital.

He is said to have ascended to the throne in the 1960’s and leaves behind 23 children and 89 grand children.  

ZANIS /ENDS /CM /KSH………….DRY.