‘IGNORE TRIBALLY MOTIVATED ELITES’

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema and the Zambians should ignore a group of elites propagating tribalism for political mileage in the name of regional movements, Life Gospel Ministries General Overseer Joseph Kazhila has advised.

Bishop Kazhila who denounced the formation of regional movements said President Hichilema should not allow a clique of tribally motivated elites to arm-twist him when making appointments in their desperate efforts to dominate political power and control the country’s resources at the expense of the development.

Recently, some prominent Easterners formed a regional grouping called UmodziKum’mawa aimed at fighting perceived marginalisation of their region by the UPND-led government.

In an open letter written by the UmoziKum’mawa tribal movement spokesperson ChanodaNwira to President Hichilema, the group requested that he chooses a Foreign Affairs Minister from the 12 names listed to him.

Speaking to The Scoop, Bishop Kazhila who condemned the rise in tribal grouping said individuals parroting division in the name of regional movements should not be entertained.

He stated that Zambia’s unity was anchored on ‘one Zambia one nation’ motto adding that tribal movements should not reach a level of demanding for positions as one’s region must not guarantee them to qualify for certain positions.

Bishop Kazhila said demanding for their people to be appointed to certain portfolios would affect good governance, national unity and harmony of the country.

‘’It is not right for any tribal movement to demand appointments from authorities. If the country has to go in the right direction, develop and prosper and become a beacon of what it is expected to be, jobs should be given on merit and not based on tribal movements.

People should understand that appointments are best done on merits and not being backed by religions or tribal groupings because if they fail to perform in those portfolios the whole country then fails and everyone will be affected,” Bishop Kazhila said.

He charged that the formation of tribal movements was done only for self-preservation and to protect members’ narrow interests.

Bishop Kazhila said the President should be given space to do what was right adding that the tribal movement would put him under durance with its unnecessary demand.

“Mr. Hichilema should be allowed to do his job as a president and not giving him lists of who to appoint because that would put fear in him and he would not do the best and if he cannot do his best then Zambia cannot succeed and if it does not succeed, we all fail,” he said.

Bishop Kazhila noted that the portfolio of a foreign minister was key and it required someone who was trusted by the head of state as that person represented the President and the country.

“Appointing unqualified people is a recipe for mistrust and failure and we do not want to see this in our country. We are putting too much pressure on the President and he may be failing in his duties to bring out what is best for this country if every tribal group wants to feel entitled by demanding for their people to be privileged in the appointments,” he said.