Chief Mutondo denounces calls for Barotse secession

Chief Mutondo of the Nkoya people in Kaoma District of Western Province says he does not support secession of Barotseland as he believes in Zambia as a unitary state.

Chief Mutondo accused some citizens of being suppressive and being bent on ensuring that the chiefdom of Mwene Mutondo is destroyed.

The traditional ruler was speaking at his Lukena Palace when Western Province Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, who was in the company of his deputy, Mwangala Liomba, paid a courtesy call on him.

Chief Mutondo urged Zambians to live as equal citizens for peace and development to be achieved in the country.

And Chief Mutondo said he is happy with the establishment of Nkeyema and Luampa districts in the area as this will create employment opportunities for the locals.

He, however, bemoaned delays in deciding on the location of the district administrative centre in Nkeyema and Luampa which were delinked from Kaoma district last year.

Chief Mutondo also said the use of Indunas and headmen’s names on National Registration Cards (NRCs) is breeding confusion in the area.

Chief Mutondo proposed that only names of gazette chiefs should appear on NRCs as the new identity cards come into effect.