Chitimukulu crowning postponed

THE Bemba Traditional Council (BTC) has postponed the public installation of Henry Kanyanta Sosala as new Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Manga II to a later date.
BTC spokesperson Washanga Mpika said in a statement released to the TIMES that the installation was stayed following President Michael Sata’s query into why the council wanted to hurry the installation when there were pending issues surrounding the chieftaincy.
Mr Mpika, however, maintained that the installation had already been done and Saturday’s function was meant to allow members of the public to present gifts to the paramount chief-designate.
“We already have a Mwine Lubemba Chitimukulu Manga II. The function we have put on hold following the request from Government is the gift presentation ceremony.
“We will hold it at a later date to be announced especially after the people working on the palace finish their works,” he said.
Mr Sosala is currently anchored at ‘Misokolo’ in Tondolo Village awaiting his ceremonial move to the palace.
Mr Mpika said the BTC had already installed the Chitimukulu at a private ceremony.
The president’s emissary, Patriotic Front Northern Province secretary Everest Chella appealed to the BTC to have accommodating dispositions to enable the Government to participate in the installation, and to ensure cordial relations between the Government and BTC prevailed.
But Mr Mpika said the BTC was not at war with anyone and that it had not done anything wrong during the installation process.
“We are enjoying cordial relations with Government, and while it is (Government) welcome in Lubemba, it has no role to play in the installation apart from that of spectator,” he added.