by BNFA Executive Committee
8th May 2015PRESS STATEMENT ON THE MATTER OF CITIZENS' PETITION FOR REMOVAL OF COMPROMISED INDUNAS
The Executive Committee of the Barotse National Freedom Alliance (BNFA) wishes to pronounce itself on the matter of the Petition delivered to Namuso wherein the petitioners are demanding dissolution of the Sikalo Kuta following revelations of treacherous conduct by some senior indunas. The revelations are contained in a letter by the Provincial Chiefs and Traditional Affairs Officer, Mr. Nachimwenda, addressed to the Permanent Secretary. The BNFA is appalled by the developments that have ensued since delivery of the Petition wherein some indunas have engaged in a public exchange of unpalatable language with one of the petitioners, Mwanamucembele Mulele, in the public media. To this end the BNFA wishes to publicize its position on this matter as follows:- 1. Accountability of Indunas to the People. While it is acknowledged that Indunas are installed into office by the Litunga, it is also an undisputable fact that they are appointed to serve the people of Barotseland. Accordingly, it follows that their continued stay into office is dependent on their ability to execute their duties to the peoples' expectations and satisfaction. Where the people are dissatisfied with the performance of a public officer they do not only have the right to demand removal of that person but can proceed to withdrawal their recognition of the said person as holder of the particular office. Under such circumstances, it is incumbent upon the affected person to respond to the popular demand by either defending themselves against the charges and prove their innocence or stepping aside to allow competent authorities to determine their fate. The BNFA finds it undignified for an induna to engage into bitter exchange of words in the media with an ordinary member of society. 2. Putting the Litungaship into odium and disrepute. The BNFA finds it unfitting for an Induna facing public disapproval to seek refuge behind the position of the Litunga as this amounts to inciting those who are against the said induna to direct their wrath against the Litunga. The people of Barotseland refer to the Litunga as ‘Ngocana', signifying the protection that he enjoys from the ravages of public life. Indunas, as appointed servants of the Litunga, are responsible for their actions as perceived by the people and directly answerable for the effects of their actions. Therefore, it is irresponsible for the indunas to run away from accounting for their omissions or commissions in respect of the accusations arising from Mr. Nachimwenda's letter in which the people of Barotseland in general, and the Litunga in particular, are ridiculed. The contents of Mr. Nachimwenda's letter remain unchallenged or addressed by the Kuta, and this is the issue of contention which should not be trivialized by reducing it to a public quarrel between indunas and the people who have risen to call them to account. In view of the foregoing, the BNFA position is that the Indunas have the primary responsibility to protect the Litungaship from public ridicule by not drawing this revered office into this debate. 3. Challenges facing Barotseland. The challenge facing Barotseland currently, which should be the mainstay of every leader of the Barotse people at any level, is the implementation the Resolutions of the Barotse National Council of March 27, 2012. The Kuta's current problems emanate from its failure to chart an effective and transparent program in actualizing the peoples' aspirations as defined in the BNC Resolutions of March 27, 2012. The BNFA has, since inception, designed programs aimed at aiding the Kuta to implement the said resolutions but has, in some cases, faced constraints in implementing them due to dragging of feet by the Kuta. Key of these issues are: i. Petition to the African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR): Under this initiative the office of the Ngambela has sued the Government of Zambia and seeks a declaration by ACHPR that the said government has no authority to administer Barotseland in the light of termination of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. While the matter is poised to advance, the current status of the Kuta does not inspire confidence towards fruitful execution of the petition. ii. Establishment of the Barotseland Transition Authority (BTA): In view of lack of progress in implementing resolution 8 of the BNC of March 27, 2012, calling for the election of the Katengo Legislative Council, the BNFA made proposals to the Kuta for formation of the BTA as implementation body of that resolution, and the proposal was submitted in September 2014. While the proposal has not been rejected by the Kuta the effective step for its implementation, being a joint meeting of all district kutas and the political organizations in Barotseland, has not been convened. The Kuta's inertia in implementing the peoples' resolutions shall continue to be a source of dissatisfaction and friction with the people. More importantly, perceptions of being comprised by the Government of Zambia will be rife where popular demands receive little or no attention. To this effect, a reorganization of the Kuta is imperative. Signed Mutungulu Wanga Deputy Chairman-General Strategy and Diaspora Liaison