Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II of the Soli people in Chongwe District says she is non-partisan but supports the Government of the day so that she can be a catalyst for development in her chiefdom.
Chieftainess Nkomeshya said her critics should draw a distinction between supporting the ruling party and working with the Government of the day.
She said this when members of the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust (MSWT) in the company of Community, Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Dorothy Kazunga paid a courtesy call on her in Chongwe yesterday.
She said some people were accusing her of being aligned to the Patriotic Front (PF) because of her presence at some Government functions involving developmental projects in her chiefdom.
“My role as a traditional leader is to work with the Government of the day and not the political party of the day. I know that the ruling party is the mother of the Government, but there, my Constitution does not allow me. I can’t talk about any political activities.
“It is my duty to support the projects that are coming into the chiefdom. I lead the way although some people have accused me,” she said.
She said supporting a political party was not in her jurisdiction and thus she would not be present if a Government official was conducting political activities.
The traditional ruler cited May 23, 2013 when President Michael Sata commissioned the 61-kilometre road project as well as the laying of a foundation stone for the construction of Chalimbana University in Chongwe District as some of the functions she attended and received criticism soon after the events.
“I was seen there, but now people are accusing me of being partisan. I say no, that is wrong.
“When the President is here, the Minister is here talking about developments of this chiefdom, I will be there.
Reacting to Chieftainess Nkomeshya’s remarks, Ms Kazunga said she was elated that the chieftainess had clarified the difference between supporting the Government of the day and championing the cause of a political party.
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