Ngabwe-Kapiri boundary meeting fails as dispute erupts

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Ngabwe-Kapiri boundary meeting fails as dispute erupts

 

Kapiri Mposhi, May 8, ZANIS ——- An official stakeholders meeting scheduled to determine the proposed district boundaries for the newly created Ngabwe district in Central province failed to take place today because two differing groups turned up claiming they were both representing the Ngabwe Royal Establishment.

 

The meeting which was also attended by other traditional leaders in Kapiri Mposhi that included Senior Chief Chipepo and Chief Mukubwe of the Lenje speaking people and Chiefs Nkole and Mukonchi of the Swaka speaking people was rescheduled to Thursday next week due to a disagreement which erupted over the chief Ngabwe throne.

 

Last month President Michael Sata declared Ngabwe area situated in the western part of Kapiri Mposhi as a new district.

 

The meeting was disrupted after a Mr Agripa Kalilenge stormed the conference hall where he introduced himself as a Chairman of the Ngabwe Royal Establishment to the disapproval of the seating Chief Ngabwe, Ignitius Kashoka.

 

Mr Kalilenge and his group claimed that the Ngabwe chieftaincy throne was still vacant as the case to determine the rightful heir to the throne was still active in the high court.

 

Mr Kalilenge insisted that Mr Kashoka was not Chief Ngabwe and was just masquerading as a traditional ruler for the people in the area.

 

“Kashoka is claiming to be chief just because President Michael Sata met him when he visited the area last month… now he thinks the government has recognized him as chief Ngabwe,” Mr Kalilenge said.

 

This incensed Mr Kashoka who stormed out of the meeting demanding that who would not attend the meeting until the rival group led by Mr Kalilenge were removed.

 

The meeting was delayed for over three hours until it was rescheduled for Thursday next week.

 

And Kapiri Mposhi District Council Secretary, Hamwende Mpande said the meeting to be called on Thursday will only be attended by people who will be invited by his office.

 

The Ngabwe chieftaincy has for close to two years now been embroiled in a succession raw with disputing parties dragging themselves to court.

 

Mr Kashoka has been dragged to court by Idon Koni who is also claiming the throne.

 

The matter is in the High Court awaiting ruling.

 

The meeting was also attended by newly elected Kapiri Mposhi Member of Parliament, Eddied Musonda, Provincial Lands Surveyor, Winston Muumba, Provincial Local Government Officer, Alfred Nyambose and Kapiri Mposhi District Commissioner, Beatrice Sikazwe and Chiefs Affairs Officer, Jacqueline Mweemba and other stakeholders.

 

Other than determining the district boundaries the meeting was also arranged to look at the availability of infrastructure and accommodation for key personnel to man government offices in the new district.

 

Stakeholders at the meeting were also supposed to resolve on which chiefdoms and Wards would have remained in the new district. 

 

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