THE FAMILY of former President Dr Frederick Chiluba has said there was no chief in Luapula who requested that the body of the former President be taken to Mansa for viewing because it would be against their tradition.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, family spokesperson Ben Mwila, who is member of Parliament for Nchelenge, said there was no such demand by chiefs in Luapula Province.
“The chiefs have not requested us to take the body to Mansa. In fact we say in our tradition that a dead man does not visit you, it is you who visit a dead man. How can you get a dead body to visit you, is it possible?” Mr. Mwila, who is Dr Chiluba’s cousin, said.
He said chiefs usually make such requests through the House of Chiefs, but as chairman of the bereaved family, he was sure that chiefs in Luapula had not requested for Dr Chiluba’s body.
Mr Mwila said the only representation chiefs had made was to request for transport to ferry them to Lusaka and that government sent transport yesterday for traditional rulers and other mourners in all provinces.
He said these mourners are expected in Lusaka today and most likely will view the body today.
Mr Mwila said this arrangement was not only for Luapula mourners, but chiefs and mourners in all the provinces of Zambia.
He was reacting to a story in The Post suggesting that government denied the chiefs’ request to fly Dr Chiluba’s body to Mansa for body viewing.
A story also claimed there were disagreements in the Chiluba family over the choice of his casket and that this annoyed some bereaved family members.
Mr Mwila said it was unfortunate that some sections of the media enjoy associating the Chiluba name with negativity despite the important role Dr Chiluba played in enhancing media freedom.
Mr Mwila said The Post, which he called a small newspaper, failed to bring DrChiluba down because he died a hero.
He said there was no need and it will be a futile mission to bring down DrChiluba because he is dead.
“They failed to bring FJT down when he was President. He has died a hero,” Mr Mwila said.
[pullquote]“The chiefs have not requested us to take the body to Mansa. In fact we say in our tradition that a dead man does not visit you, it is you who visit a dead man. How can you get a dead body to visit you, is it possible?” Mr. Mwila,[/pullquote]
He said the media should appreciate the role Dr Chiluba played in liberalising the media.
“They called him names, they said things against him, he never responded; why? Because he wanted to liberalise the media to ensure that the Press is a real mirror of the nation,” Mr Mwila said.
He said the country was almost bankrupt when Dr Chiluba ascended to power, while the media operated in a hostile environment.
“He has liberalised the country in such a way that even you members of the Press do not have to look over your shoulders to say something,” Mr Mwila said.
Mr Mwila said the country should not bury all the achievements of Dr Chiluba on account of mistakes because no-one is perfect.
“FJT made a lot of mistakes, but he made a myriad of accomplishments. So let us not bury what he achieved as President of the Republic of Zambia,” Mr Mwila said.
Mr Mwila called for unity and reconciliation in the nation in order to move forward.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders and their subjects in Kawambwa are demanding an apology from individuals and media houses that demonised and persecuted late second republican President Frederick Chiluba soon after he left the presidency in 2001 WALLEN SIMWAKA and JERRY MUNTHALI reports from Kawambwa.
Chief Munkanta of the Chishinga people of Kawambwa district said his subjects are not happy that Dr Chiluba became a victim of his own democratic and economic successes.
Chief Munkanta, who presides over sub-chiefs Kabila, Chitondo, Matende, Kabanda, Ntenke and Muyembe, said late DrChiluba together with other courageous Zambians broke the one partystate ideology and brought freedom of speech and association to Zambians.
Chief Munkanta said in an interview at his palace on Friday that although Zambia was independent during the one party state era, citizens were still in bondage in terms of freedom of speech, expression, association and economic empowerment.
The traditional leader, who was Dr Chiluba’s uncle, said it is disheartening that some politicians kept on calling the late head of State names even after the courts cleared him of the allegations levelled against him.
“Now that he has died all those who are talking ill about him should apologise. If it were possible even in his death, they should restore his immunity so that his good deeds go on,” Chief Munkanta said.
The traditional leader said it is not true that Government neglected Dr Chiluba prior to his death. He said this in apparent reference to Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata’s insinuations that President Banda neglected Dr Chiluba.
“It is not true to say that Dr Chiluba was neglected by Government. Death has just struck and as family members, we are grateful that President Banda looked after our son well and even evacuated him to South Africa each time he was not feeling well,” Chief Munkanta said.
He said Dr Chiluba will be remembered as a leader of all Zambians who respected traditional leaders.
Chief Munkanta said Government only started respecting traditional leaders in Zambia after Dr Chiluba became President in 1991.
He appealed to Zambians to mourn Dr Chiluba in a Christian way since he declared Zambia as a Christian nation.
He also appealed to family members to remain calm during the period of mourning.
And Kawambwa senior agriculture officer Samson Chipeta has warned that Zambia risks being cursed if citizens continue disrespecting leaders even in their death.
Mr Chipeta said Zambians have seen through some political messages that are aimed at maligning Dr Chiluba as a way of winning votes from the electorate.
He said there are political leaders who recently called for the re-arrest of Dr Chiluba as a way of gaining political mileage.
“We wish to advise politicians that they should realise that Dr Chiluba was President of the country for a decade and during his reign, he continued advocating change for the better. Those who were calling for his re-arrest and continued persecution were looking for votes. Zambia will be cursed if people continue not to respect leaders,” Mr Chipeta said.
He advised Zambians to learn lessons from the dangers of citizens refusing to respect leadership.
He said some countries have gone to war because the people decided to disrespect those in authority.
“The Bible says that if anyone of you has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at the woman. So let us not sound holier than thou because it is God who has the judgement,” Mr Chipeta said.
And traditional leaders on the Copperbelt have condemned people trying to gain political mileage over the death of former President Dr Frederick Chiluba, MONICA KAYOMBO and KALONDE NYATI report.
The traditional leaders have also stated that people trying to find wrongs in Dr Chiluba must revisit their cultural values and morals.
Speaking in separate interviews in Mpongwe, Senior Chief Ndubeni, Chief Machiya, Chieftainess Lesa and Chief Kalunkumya of the Lima people said it is immoral and unZambian for people to speak ill of the dead, particularly of second republican President Dr Chiluba, who championed the restoration of multi-partism and declared Zambia a Christian nation.
Senior Chief Ndubeni said he is saddened by the death of Dr Chiluba whose legacy would forever be embraced by his people.
Chief Machiya said Dr Chiluba’s funeral should be taken seriously and must not be politicised.
“There is need to mourn him in peace. He empowered most chiefs and ordinary Zambians when he was President,” Chief Machiya said.
He said it is actually a taboo for people to quarrel during a funeral or issue derogatory statements against the deceased.
“If we had differences then, we must forget about them. We only have one culture in Zambia and one wonders why some people are behaving un-Zambian,” he said.
Chieftainess Lesa says Dr Chiluba deserves a good send-off because he did not only rule Zambia for 10 years but also liberalised the economy and ensured that there was enough transport in the country.
“We are not happy that he has died, but this is God’s will. Let us mourn him as a united family,” Chieftianess Lesa said.
She said although there were hiccups during his tenure of office, he ruled Zambia peacefully and many people appreciated the benefits of democracy, which was re-introduced.
Chief Kalunkumya says people, regardless of where they come from, must realise that there is no perfect human being on earth.
“We are born sinners and only God has the power to cleanse us from all our sins,” Chief Kalunkumya said.
He appealed to Dr Chiluba’s critics to look at the good he did for Zambia such as declaring Zambia as a Christian nation, empowering people with houses, improving the transport sector and liberalising the economy.
The chief also commended the government for according Dr Chiluba a state funeral and for deciding to bury him next to his successor, Dr Levy Mwanawasa.
And chief Chamuka of the Lenje people of Central Province says the death of Dr Chiluba should unite the country instead of dividing it.
Chief Chamuka said while the death is a tragedy to the nation, people need to remain united in prayer and show love to one another.
The traditional leader said this when he visited the funeral venue, Belvedere Lodge.
He said Dr Chiluba was a peace builder even beyond Zambia’s borders and it is important for people to be peaceful during and after the mourning period.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
None but politics pa zed.
“In fact we say in our tradition that a dead man does not visit you, it is you who visit a dead man. How can you get a dead body to visit you, is it possible?” MrMwila, who is Dr Chiluba’s cousin, said.
I would love to know what the Lamba/Lenje tradition say, because Mwanawasa’s body was taken round the country. I rest my case.
i wish to have the final word on this…… drop it!! shushh! i do not want anymore talk on this issue. okay?
So Chiluba died a hero!! Cmon guys, hero for who? Not me atleast bakalamba.
we have all these weired characterz coming out from the closet only now to defend chiluba but when he was batling it out in court when levy was alive they were no where to be seen/heard. What a bunch of hypocrites that make me want to pull out my hair…if only i wasn’t bold headed.
Frederick Chiluba, Zambia’s first democratically elected president.whether you like or not.
Please don’t distort history – President Kenneth David Kaunda was the first democratically Zambian President back in 1964. Zambia only became a one party state in 1973, which diminished the democratic rights as we know it now.
I guess Chiluba died a hero– Ben Mwila.
Stop the bickering Dr. Chiluba’s soul needs prayers and not fighting over who said what and did not say that, who is /was a hero or villian . . . . . . God will give the final verdict. Dr. Chiluba’s time came when he breathed his last breath and now it is God’s judgement which rules and not man’s as it is written in the Bible in Hebrews 9:27 “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
Well done Ben Mwila
#4 DIV. You do not matter to anyone in this country. Chiluba ruled this country while you and your family will probably die as noneties apart from displaying your stup!d!ty on LT.
zambia could be a better country without the so called chiefs. honestly whats their role in this morden society?
chiluba anayamba bwino but poor finishn.elo ba by with yo nashala umwana wanshiwa neka party dont refute that chiefs in luapula neva demanded for chilubas body to be flown to the area pantu even ba lusakatimes published the same story on 20th jun but you are just barking on the post.Who doesnt know that u critised chiluba when you formed yo kanashalaneka party,by the way wherez ndelanda lelo ndelenda
And Kawambwa senior agriculture officer Samson Chipeta has warned that Zambia risks being cursed if citizens continue disrespecting leaders even in their death.
No amount of Jik will cleanse this little common thief who ascended to the highest office of the land more by mistake than ingenuity. It is Chiluba who’s gone a cursed man.
Chiluba died a thief and zambia is a better place without him!
Chiluba does not need your prayers he gave his life to the Lord long ago..its you you and you who has not done so that your souls will need prayer when you are gone..Does Fred ever think he will die oneday? Does he ever think what people will have to say about his deeds with his vuvuzela paper the Post…he like FTJ started well but now he leads editorials like a cadre but unlike FTJ we question his faith and where he will end up when he is no more…Lesa bane nimalyotola…
the body viewing yesterday and today, the countrywide outpouring of grief over our departed second republican president, all despite the campaign of distraction mounted by some “sections of the media” from the moment that fjt passed on, wow!!!! i have been vindicated and reassured in my belief that the vast majority of zambians are still human beings after all, the rest are just pockets of evil found in any society which is on a solid path to successful transformation.
#10 Puchukwe, Chik.ala, How does it matter to you that he is not a hero to me? If he is to you well n gud, that wont change my perception even a little bit. Get that straight you moron!!!!
We should start debating on the role and relevance of traditional leaders in this modern world, to me they are just scroungers ready to change position at any slightest intimidation by those in power. I hope someone in future maybe not in our life time would allow common sense to prevail and do away with these people.
Why is BY suddenly championing Chiluba’s cause when they never used to even talk to each other when he was alive. It was only recently when BY said a few choice words about chiluba. The same BY has been at the forefront of refusing postmoterm of the body. Does BY know what actually killed Chiluba? Why is he being defensive everywhere? We are all watching this with open eyes and we are not fools. EVERY ZAMBIAN has a claim on Chiluba’s body, he was our second republican president since independence. So chiluba is not only for the chiluba family, he is a national property – if you allow me to put it that way.The fact is he died at home and we all need the medical profession to clear the way that he died not from foul play. Is BY hiding something???? He is acting suspiciously!!!!
I recommend you ma friends referring PIPO like Mwila to HYPOCRITES.Its true they are desperate politicians seeking recognition from BWEZANI and WILLIAM BANDA.We can not be surprised cos truly they are trying to play double standards by pretending to be good now,when they totally condemned Dr Chiluba with their nashala neka party.MWILA KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!!! WHAT ARE U?????
@19 & 20. in death and mourning there is unity and love and no enemies, but you cannot understand this if you belong to the small pocket of evil “zambians”.
BY is a devil, he is to date still sitting on the Gabon crash report and now he has succeeded in cancelling a postmortem on Kafupi. For all we know, Mwila was one of the people who met Chiluba the day he died. Now, if any person is BID (brought in dead), it is an automatic case of suspected homicide, especially considering the fact that Chiluba complained of “gas” suggesting that he was possibly poisoned. Not that I care that finally someone might have given him a taste of his own medicine but whoever did it must be answerable to the laws of the land. Events place Ben Mwila at the scene of the crime, he is a suspect and should not have been appointed family spokesman to frustrate investigations.
late chiluba defended the wrongs he committed till he died.He was proud of himself,i will remember him by introducing full blown corruption in the country.
MHSRIP, but corruption rages on and on. Whitherto mother Zambia!
Gone to be with his Lord & Saviour…the man who contributed greatly to Zambia’s liberalised politics…a fact none will take away from him. MHSRIP.
Hey chaps Chiluba has done a Tupac aka Makaveli he will be back hence no postmortem.
Someone told me they saw him in a bank in Geneva withdrawing loads of cash last tuesday.
As a professional journalist, I have only these two observations to make on Mr. Mwila’s remarks: “In fact we say in our tradition that a dead man does not visit you, it is you who visit a dead man. How can you get a dead body to visit you, is it possible?” Mr. Mwila, who is Dr. Chiluba’s cousin, said.” Yes, the dead body of Mwanawasa visited us when it was flown all over Zambia. Secondly, to his comment that “the media should appreciate the role Dr Chiluba played in liberalizing the media”, it can only be surmised that Mr. Mwila is happy with the state of the media –both public and private – in Zambia today.
CONT’D…. If , as Mwila seems to be suggesting, Chiluba wanted to liberalize the media “to ensure that the Press is a real mirror of the nation”, Zambians ought to be ashamed that the media as it exists today, a legacy of Chiluba, according to Mwila, is a real mirror of Zambia and Zambians as a nation and as a people. For there is nothing to be proud of in what the media is today whether it is the Post, ZNBC, Times of Zambia, Daily Mail, or indeed, Zambian Watchdog or Lusaka Times. It’s nothing but a disgrace to the profession and not a legacy any decent person would be proud of!
The fact that you uze the public media react to most of The Post storiez iz a big indication of something wrong somewhere.
Kafupi Hamba Kahle, why waste more money flying the thief body when he already stole too much
#27, Aha finally here is a journalist whether fake, real or professional who is not happy with the state of the zambian media today, both state media and private media including and especially the Post.
znbc tv news at 19.00hrs has confirmed and shown that mr sata attended body viewing this morning at 09.00hrs. that is as it should be, although he looked like someone who has been forced to do it. mechanically he motioned the catholic cross but there was no emotion in him at all and he looked like saying “good riddance, now you cannot campaign against me”. i understand he resisted a lot of pressure from members of the clergy for him to show some respect for his late colleague. rumour has it that maybe a phone call from the one who knows him best from the unip days finally did the trick. yes i mean his excellency rupiah bwezani banda, many pf cadres are in denial that mr sata was ever a prominent leader in unip, mmd and now pf!! when you talk about change remember facts correctly okay?
Opposition Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata this morning paid his last respect to late Second Republican President Frederick Chiluba’s remains at Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka.
Mr. Sata, who was accompanied by PF Chairperson for Finance Emmanuel Chenda, visited Mulungushi much to the surprise of some mourners who queued with him to view the body of the former head of state.
PF president Michael Chilufya Sata this morning attended body viewing of his former colleague second President Chiluba. When his time to pass on comes, Mr Sata will be remembered as the former District Governor in the UNIP government who was one of the architects of UNIP slogans like “wamuyaya”, “kumulu lesa, panshi kaunda”, “UNIP mulilo, uwaikatako wapya” and other slogans that indicate a love for dictatorship. In an effort to cleanse him, PF would like to erase our memory of his past by suggesting that he is a principled man who just “dropped” from somewhere and carries a message of change from heaven, when all along he has been in UNIP, defected to MMD and then defected to PF. Typical political prostitute although he doesn’t see himself as one.
BY self appointed family spokesperson and relative to the late Ex President FTJ, true or false. MHSRIP. I rest my case.
Mwila, he is manufacturing history and culture as he goes along. The next time you will hear that it is against Zambian culture to release the Gabon disaster report because doing so might run the risk of arising our departed heroes from the dead and run the risk of haunting BY for illegally putting them on an unairworthy flying coffin. Ubunangwa muno chalo bwafulisha saana. Zambia faa luli Inamusunga ki naha ya litoto!
Iam glad, iam zambian, guys mulansekesha………………………………..ama comments apa pa platform. let me go fast for peace now during 2011 election were mmd pulled voctorious already
This is very confusing. It is either Mr Mwila is economical with the truth or he did not listen/watch ZNBC news because he was busy attending to some duties at the place where mourners are gathered. ZNBC quoted Chiefs Lubunda and Chisunka as the ones that requested that Mr Chiluba’s body be flown to Luapula. So the two chiefs do not know that a dead body should not visit? Incidentally, how many ethnic groups are in Luapula Province?
This news item was posted as a headline in The Post. This media outlet is a mouth-piece of PF. The news item was designed to cause confusion on the people of Luapula in the hope of gaining some luck in Sata’s political game. Unfortunately the anti-Chiluba hate language that Sata unleashed on FTJ has fullybeen noted by the alert people of Luapula. Statements made by Dr. Machungwa at the Cathederal, and later reinforced by statements made Mr. Ben Mwila on behalf of the Chiluba Family and Mr. C. Mwansa who represented Senior Chief Mwata Kazembe at the Embassy Park will be respected by the people of Luapula. The FTJ’s-factor has inflicted a final devastating blow to the downfall of PF in Zambia. Sata actually failed to attend the burial and Inonge Wina was “rare” too.
You people must know that chief Chisunka was quoted as having requested for the body to be flown to mansa. The post indicated that in their tabloid. Therefore the chief should be in the right position to clear th air.