Marythar Kambinda

KATIMA MULILO – The chief of the Mashi Traditional Authority, chief Joseph Tembwe Mayuni, has called on the government to swiftly address the challenge of overlapping boundaries among traditional authorities in the Zambezi region. 

He said this at the Tulikonge Cultural Festival, held at his royal headquarters at Choi on Sunday.

“Land is a precious resource that can contribute to enhancing economic growth and, therefore, human development. 

However, a great stumbling block to development is the overlapping of boundaries between traditional authorities,” said Mayuni.

He further added, “this concern had been raised during the second National Land Conference in 2018 and was emphasised in the 2020 report on the Presidential Commission of Enquiry into Claims of Ancestral Land”.

The chief also expressed concern over the causalities that have been experienced, especially in the Kongola constituency. 

Many of them are related to domestic violence, driving under the influence and immorality.

“It is very sad to see such developments among communities. We cannot have our community progressing in that direction. Our culture of respect is contrary to the acts of violence being perpetrated,” said Mayuni.

The chief further stated the Bafwe community promotes co-existence and mutual respect between communities in the interest of peace. 

“We continue to live in harmony with the Mbukushu, Kwedam, Yeyi, Subia, Totela, Mbalangwe and Lozi people as we have done for many years and wish to maintain cordial relations,” stated Mayuni.

He added it was with the noble aim that the Ngambela forum was formed, of which the traditional authority is a proud member, intending to create a body that acts as a catalyst for dialogue on the most important matters affecting Zambezi communities.