Mucheleka annoys chief Chipalo for calling him care taker

Mucheleka annoys chief Chipalo for calling him care taker

Luwingu, Feb 18/13, ZAMIS———Chief Chipalo of the Bemba people in Luwingu has been angered by allegedly being called a care taker by Lubasenshi Member of Parliament (MP), Patrick Mucheleka.

Chief Chipalo vented out his anger when Northern Provincial Minister, Gerry Chanda, and Northern Provincial Permanent Secretary, Hlobotha Nkunika, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace during their familiarisation tour to Luwingu at the weekend.

Chief Chipalo said it is disheartening to be called a care taker by an MP who also accused him of giving land to an investor instead of concentrating on development initiatives that people are envying for in the area.

He charged that Mr Mucheleka has chosen to work in isolation and does not consult traditional leaders who stay with people for development projects in the chiefdom.

Chief Chipalo has declared a no-go-zone area in his chiefdom for Mr Mucheleka as he has no respect for him.

“I do not need him in my chiefdom because he has no respect for me and my subjects alleging that I gave land to Sable Company when the issue in question was done in consultation with the council,” Chief Chipalo said.

He revealed that he worked well with MP in the past but wondered why things have changed.

And the traditional leader has thanked the police service in area for working hard in reducing crime through the involvement of Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).

Chief Chipalo said the PF Government needs to be given chance and requested the nation to pray for President Michael Sata for wisdom and God’s guidance.

Col Chanda advised Lubasenshi MP, Patrick Mucheleka, to apologise to the traditional leader, saying working in confrontation to the chief is undesirable and disrespectful.

He added that the MP will not lose anything in apologising and instead will allow him work well in the area.

Meanwhile, Northern Provincial Minister, Gerry Chanda, thanked Chief Chipalo for the warn welcome rendered to his entourage at the palace.

Col Chanda said chiefs are eyes of the Government and no meaningful development can be achieved without their consent as they live with people in their areas.

He said Government has recognised chiefs’ efforts in improving the living standards of the people through working together with state machinery.

Col Chanda said government is eager to improving the welfare of chiefs and construct and provide electricity to palaces.

Col also Chanda appealed to civil servants to work in collaboration with chiefs for productive and sustainable development.

He called public workers to emulate the Zambia Police service in the area which is projecting the wish of the PF Government’s policies and manifesto.