Why is Bemba Traditional Council in hurry to install Chitimukulu – Sata

Patriotic Front (PF) Northern Province chairperson Everest Chella said in an interview that Mr Sata had called him to relay the message to the BTC not to hurry the installation of Henry Sosala as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.

Mr Chella said Government wanted outstanding issues with the BTC resolved before the installation as it was the President’s wish for harmony to prevail.

The BTC had set November 15 as the date for Mr Sosala’s coronation as Paramount Chief Chitimukulu.

The BTC has in the past maintained that despite Government’s decision to degazzette Mr Sosala from his position as senior chief Mwamba, it still considered him as such and went on to appoint him as the next in line.

Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Nkandu Luo had made a statement that as far as Government was concerned, there was no Chitimukulu.

The BTC responded by saying Mr Sosala was now Mwine Lubemba and would be treated as such.

However, Mr Chella as emissary of the president said he had a telephone conversation with Mr Sata where the head of State said he had not degazzeted Mr Sosala as “he had managed the fete all by himself.”

Mr Chella appealed to BTC to have accommodating dispositions to enable Government to participate in the installation and to ensure cordial relations between Government and BTC prevailed.

Efforts to get a comment from the BTC spokesperson Chief Chimba failed by Press time.