Chiefs in Luapula province have called for the suspension of Presidential by-elections but allow the acting President, Rupiah Banda to continue until 2011.
Speaking in separate interviews with ZANIS on Tuesday, chief Kashinka of Mwense district said in his opinion, there was no need to hold a costly presidential by-election when Mr Banda as acting President was capable of running government until 2011.
He appealed to political parties in the country to heed to his appeal for the sake of peace in the country.
And Senior chief Lukwesa of Samfya district said acting President, Mr. Banda was best placed to govern the country until 2011.
He said Mr. Banda has so far proved to be a capable leader.
Meanwhile, Chief Puta of Chiengi district said he would not support a presidential candidate whose hands were soiled.
He said traditional leaders would only support aspiring presidential candidates with attributes that were similar to those of the late President Mwanawasa.
And chief Chisunka of Mansa district echoed the other chiefs’ proposal.
And business stalled Tuesday afternoon in Ndola with late Republican President Mwanawasa’s body arrival for viewing.
Most companies suspended business to avail their staff chance to view the late Dr Mwanawasa’s body.
The ceremony that started at 12:30 hours at the International Trade Fair (ITF) grounds with a prayer by Zambia Army Chaplain Hendrix Moma praying that the Christian nation declaration should be upheld by all Zambians during the mourning period and beyond.
Major Moma also prayed for unity among Zambians adding that the next leadership continue with the late President Mwanawasa’s vision of improving the national economy for the benefit of all people.
He described the late president as a leader who upheld firmness while embracing fairness in dealing with issues that confront the nation.
He said Dr. Mwanawasa believed in the rule of law as opposed to exploitation.
He therefore challenged the church to stand firm in praying for peaceful transition of government.
And CopperBelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said Dr. Mwanawasa will be remembered for successfully implementing policies of revamping the mining industry in the province.
He acknowledged that Dr. Mwanawasa tirelessly devoted his efforts to establishing the Copperbelt as an economic hub through value addition to local products and services through establishment of the Chambishi economic zone.
He called on Zambians to remember the late President by upholding values of transparency, the rule of law and democracy as they mourn the late leader.
Meanwhile, the ITF grounds were full to capacity as people from different parts of the province assembled to view the body of the late president.
Security had a tough time controlling an impatient crowd as it filed past Dr. Mwanawasa’s casket.
Medics too were seen busy attending to mourners who fainted after standing for hours in the long queue to veiw the body.
First lady Maureen is among family members and government officials accompanying the body of Dr. Mwanawasa.
Viewing in Ndola is scheduled to end at 19:50 hours.
The body will lie in state at Kabelenga Presidential Guest House before being flown to Solwezi.
ZANIS/SK/ENDS/MM
ZANIS/AM/ENDS/MM
The sentiments expressed by the Luapula chiefs once again calls into question the caliber of some of our traditional leaders. A progressive nation does not go around disregarding its own constitution anyhow. If RP has been such an impressive acting president he should be able to make a case for himself by being nominated and elected. We can not hide behind the excuse of a Presidential bye election being too expensive. God forbid should a similar situation occur and we have a dummy for VP at the time, will it be in order to say he/she serves the remaining term as acting president just to spare us a costly presidential bye election? I dont think so!
This is the time when the govt should consider revising the constitution. The Vice President should be norminated by the Presidential candidate before elections. During elections we can vote for both the President the the Vice like in U.S.A. In the event the President dies or is unable to perform, the Vice President will automatically take over. This will save our time and money whenever we face such challenges. This time the constitution should be followed no HIGH WAYS FOR MONEY BANDA.
Even in this day and age, we still listen to chiefs. The calibre of their sentiments tells it all. As educated as we are, c’mon gimme a break!!
What sentimenets do we expect from those who believe in a monarchy in the ever changing world of democracy? Nothing short of the above article…
Are these chiefs I wonder or just a group of people bought by MMD to echo such nonsense. Why are zambians like that? Surely can RB rule Zambia? No wonder we will never develoip
chiefs chiefs tekumushi plis,it’s zambia we re talking about not village set ups plis
foolish so called chiefs
The chiefs are paraded so that they say something good. We dont know maybe they are also given incentives for the same. RB was just brought in for tribal balncinng and has no qualities of the presdent. The man is there to serve the family tree and nothing else. We cant suspend the elections due to greed individuals who were just assisted to be where they are. What has he done. Awarding increments and plundering the economy is a good job. We know what is going on and the tactics being used to urinate on the constitution. God forbid. RB is a puppet now hiding behind the family tree but all will be surprised when he gets the presid. Abash old and FINISHED Characters hiding in the name of stupid
People… lets not even waste time discussing this. Such foolish sentiments do not deserve us wasting energy…
maturity. Viva young and vibrant men with a vision. If you vote for old and finished guys, you risk losing the vision. Young men are never in a hurry with getting money. LPM MANAGED BECAUSE HE WAS STILL A YOUTH. The old characters have short term vision and thats why they are pushing for quick money in parliment because they have no time. The chiefs are the worst animals as they stay in authority womanising and taking advantages of the subject without any feeling. All traditional monarchs such as Swaziland, Former NEPAL, Thailand etc are tumbling. Dont listen to these useless chiefs. Uphold the constitution and vote for Obama and Kikwete of Zambia in HH.
It is very sad that some traditional leaders lack not only knowledge but wisdom as well. Wisdom is an invaluable trait that every leader should possess. The Chief is unaware that the British government has pledged to sponsor the by-elections so the issue of a “costly by election” does not hold. It is obvious that peace and stability is broken when the rule of law is disregarded by some members of a particular society, unfortunately chief Kanshika cannot see this plain truth. By disregarding the constitution with regards to succession of our beloved LPM, chaos is perpetuated. All is not so bad with our chiefs. Chief Puta said: He would not vote for candidates whose hands are spoiled.
MWE MFUMU LEKENI AMA POLITICS PLEASE.WE ALL KNOW THAT LPM BOUGHT VEHICLES FOR YOU BUT DO NOT GIVE A WORD ON MATTERS OF THE CONSTITUTION.EXPLAIN YOUR VILLAGE CONCERPT MAYBE TO GEN. MIYANDA HE CAN UNDERSTAND YOU BETTER.WE MAY THINK THAT NO ONE CAN LEAD ZAMBIA TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE WE ARE MOURNING.THERE IS A POTENTIAL PRESIDENT OUT THERE NOT IN MMD.A COUNTRY IS NOT A BIG VILLAGE WITH ONLY ONE FAMILY OR CLAN TO RULE.AKWIPAYENI FYE ISABI BECAUSE THATS THE TRADE YOU CHERISH AND NOTHING ELSE TO YOU MATTERS MOST.
Its a pity these chiefs do not understand the way the constitution works. I urge the govt to educate the chiefs so that they do not embarass the nation with irrelevant sentiments. The Law must be respected accordingly. #2- I think your idea is good and tht can save time and money in the future. Its a pity Law makers do not foresee such eventualities.
Good luck to Zambia as we search for a new leader!
Tabaishiba ati kwaliba constitution. Forgive them father
Boot-likers!
No. 6,& 14 chachine, mwasosa. Though, everyone is entitled to his/her OPINION, but this one YACHITA OVA. These chiefs haven’t ready our constitution, I wonder if they know its existance. Anyway, they we understand them, & we forgiveness because they are saying so becoz of ignorance, i strongly believe.
Are those stoogies paid to say such nonsense.Its actually the position of chiefs that need scrapping off.They are proving to be irrelevant.
Ku Ng’umbo chalila. Nga ni ka Puta kena awe mwandini. This is the same chap that used to double cross Levy by hiking in Katumbi’s choppers and he even got a car from Katanga. Kaya mwandi!
THESE PIPO SHOULD BE REALISTICS, WE ARE NOT JOKING, THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. TEBUTUNGULUSHI WA MUMUSHI TUTLELANDAPO WA CHALO CHOSE ICHA ZAMBIA, MWILA YANGALA, MWE MFUMU SHESU.
DID THE CRC CIRCULATE COPIES OF THE CONSTITUTION TO ALL PROVINCES & DISTRICTS?????? SOME OF THESE CHIEFS NEED TO BE LEARN CIVICS FOR THEM TO CONTRIBUTE CONSTRUCTIVE TO POLITICAL ISSUE.
Chiefs are just ass-lickers. They are scared of change.
please blogers if there is any thing you can do in your ability to stop these guys from contaminating the mood please do.we should not condorn such people who have lived there lives with no human feelings.Honestly if i remmber very well these are the same people who were recieving favors from the east at the time of slave trade.These so called chiefs recieved favors to trade our ancestors.i wish i was not connected to the royal clan. these chiefs think they have a say just because they were given utu ma ride.
we are not a monarchy and RB was only orderd by LPM,in this time of acting all he does is watch this brand of mp’s chant for increaments.there are more serious issues………….
forgive our chiefs for they no not what they do!!!!!!!!!!!111
#22 forgive our chiefs for they know not what they do!!!!!!!!!!!
Opinion, its sad that even people who are claiming that they are educated are debating on ones opinion. get more edu and debate progresively. cheifs have said, what do you think mwebasambilila?
viva chiefs. i share your views. why should we have the luxury of holding expensive by elections when we are wallowing in uncertainity over high commodity prices. we should instead use the money to subsidise our essentila requirements. RB can continue under the present set up. no powers to hire and fire except with cabinet approval. this is working perfectly well as we have seen most ministers come out to oppose each other. i thought some apes around here are advocates of reducing presidentila powers. when you allow RB to rule under present conditions you will be assured of stability as no one will be doing “tuchawa” to win favours from the president.
Tu Chiefs, why cant they just concentrate on their witchcraft which they seem to know best. That is their only science they have studied. If you are hungry imwe tuma chiefs, go to hell. RB has no money to dish out.
Iwe ka number 25, are you a child of a child? Go to the grave yard and exhume the bodies of those you have killed and eat their flesh.
Most of you are missing the point.Some of these chiefs may be uneducated but what they are trying to say is that it is costly and unnecessary to hold such elections.In other words they are saying we shoull have a constitution which says when a President dies his vice should take over for the remaining period like it is in America.NCC is still sitting so this is an opportunity for Zambia to come up with a good constitution.
Buti ama chiefs abo,mamama….iye,out of al things sure!!!???
Wit all due respect,plain dumb…ati veep 2 continue??? Ya ryt…mind u,NO ONE,NOT A SOUL has eva cast a vote to bring RB into office-its not lyk your monarchy where u hand pick ati Chiti will tek ova me,no twakana…js receive your bribes and lie to your fellow ignorant subjects noti ifwe!!!!!
Chiefs are a waste of time. they see now that the rain season is coming and if HH wins they will not get any fertilizer hence they busy advocating for RB to be presdo. Out with the old n in with the new plz. People should not be resistant to change, thats wat drives life forward. WE R GOIN FORWARD. TONKELA KUMBELE AISHA!!!
At least Bemba’s can sometimes think properly.
Weather u like it or not RB is the man. Economist, diplomat, businessman,POLITICIAN more experienced than these pretenders. chitala, teta etc can smell the goodies.. twanya again!
These chiefs should talk about serious things, Like how can we allow these people to move around with a dead body looking for a sympathy vote. How much have they been given? Ati National body viewing….
Ba Wesu pilishi!Can we for God s sake different traditional matters from those of national.What does the constitution say on matters such as the one we are facing as a country? You sound just like your cousin from the east who was calling for the suspension of succession debate.These are not traditional matters which can be taken in your line of thought and moreover RB on his own, may not be the best person to handle such a GREEDY and CORRUPT CABINET of the LUNGWANGWAS and MAGANDES.
M.G.
Luapula fols speaks rubish again.
our chiefs also! aweeeeee mweeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
why can’t they keep quiete?
do they think we are still in the village age period that they can be important?
they shud not force us to build shoping molls in the villages which will turn them into towns so that these chiefs will be stuck with who to control.
well,the chiefs are at it again?they are entitled to their opinions but one thing that should be clear to them is that times are different and we are moving with time….that’s a monarchy kind of thought but democratic…they should have been at NCC and pass thru suggestion…VIVA Democracy!!
#25 The constitution is clear , the elections will go ahead , the Chiefs are not objective . How about the cost of taking the body of Levy around the hq of provinces , it is the share waste of resourses & time . The money being used would be used on other projects unza , hospitals etc . What is the benefit of doing this .We need the man of action or Dr Nevers Mumba .We render the advice of chiefs useless .The body viewing on TV the first day was enough .MHSRP , God bless Zambia
That’s why we are saying african are so stupid sometimes in thinking.They should have made a constitution where by we can vote for both the President the the Vice like in U.S.A. In the event the President dies or is unable to perform, the Vice President will automatically take over.But because of low IQ and self interest of our leaders we end up changing constitution every time.Very stupid in thinkig as if the president will be in power forever.They don’t think about new generation to be affected.They just consider themselves first instead of interest of people and properours of the country.
Meanwhile chiefs have been given $ that’s why they’re saying this crap.They don’t know constitutio
RB in the last few weeks proved that he is a liar who cannot be trusted with the presidency … those ‘stable and making steady progress’ statements on LPM who was critically ill should not be quickly forgotten. We do not want him to lie to us or keep us in suspense any further. You Luapula Chiefs just talk about something else if you don’t understand what our current cosntitution says about the way forward for Zambia today.
Sorry Chiefs we have what is called a constition in Zambia and that is to be respected. RB can be president over yourselves and your people but not Zambia.
This is nonsense. Some of these chiefs are talking out of poverty. They think RB will give them food if he becomes president.
We can not take the advice of the Chiefs, its contrary to our national constitution. We should however not judge them harsly some of these chiefs may be unlearned people and so we can expect such talk from them.
Tu chiefs, go to hell
#28 Sharp Sharp. You are spot on. The chiefs do not understand the constitution fully but they have raised an extremely valid point. We need a number two in the country, either an elected [not appointed] vice president or a prime minister who would carry the reins until a general election. Look at USA when JFK was assassinated, LBJ took over. Please do not shoot down the chiefs, their wisdom surpasses ten of you cowardly diaspora homosexuals, drunkards and bum wipers. Yes that is why you have left Zambia
#43 Are you gay? Where are you now?
#44 you’ve been trying to start with me. Warning.
No. 3 you are right on the money.With all due respect, what place do chiefs hold in the current or modern day political dispensation.At best, they are simply a huge liability on tax payers.They need to understand why countries maintain constitutions before they can utter stupid thoughts.
It`s a pity that the President died untimely. Let by elections take place so that people can exercise there rights to vote for a leader they feel can perfom better duties. It is in the constitution that 90 days after the death of the president, by elections have to be conducted. Not that the vice president has to continue ruling; it is very false. So the so called chiefs should remain calm & quite and waiting for peace loving patriotic Zambians vote for the president of their choice.
The Chiefs should stay where they belong. Where power is inherited! Let’s stick to the modern world, where a constitution rules! May the best man/woman win!
Hey guys excuse the chiefs, some of them don’t know that our country is quided by a constitution.
Otherwise mwemfumu shaku Luapula uko, yo advise is in harmony with the draft constitution, section 141 subsection 1(a), which is being debated on. For now, holding presidential by-elections is the way to go.
lets go ahead with the election.If pipo want RB let it be but the constitution has to be followed.Chiefs you will never stop being boot lickers!!.I think for zambia to develop lets only allow educated pipo to vote so that the presidential candidates can be grilled like the US.
Bati utuma chief tumafuta over and above!!in this time and age you still dont know kwaliba constitution ,Chachine tonse utuma luapula baliz tuletina big brother eviction …RP goes they also go
It was a difficult situation. Northern Rhodesia to become Zambia. It happened over night.. Independence. So you Zambians have had 25 yrs to sort yourselves out. Have you done it ? No you have not. Iam married to an Aushi, Bemba. I have studied your Culture for years. I know you better than yourselves, your culture, your politics [ which stink ] and your economy, that with U.K. educated Zambians will thrive as long as they dont go back into that old tribal corruption pot. Dear God I love Zambia. But the ignorance of your Chiefs belongs in a museum in Lusaka. You have my hope and prayers. GOD SAVE ZAMBIA.