CHIEF MUKUNI PETITIONS COURT TO CONFER HIM WITH PARAMOUNTCY  

By CHIKUMBI KATEBE

THE Bene Mukuni people of Southern Province have asked the Constitutional Court to declare Mukuni XIX as Paramount Chief entitled to all powers, authorities and capacities to dethrone subordinate chiefs in his domain as well as an elevated security detail and other support staff befitting his status.

Chief Mukuni who is also Munokalya Mupotola IV Siloka III says the Mukuni chiefdom is one of the largest traditional royal establishments in Southern Province deserving to be conferred with the respected title of Paramountcy with all the benefits of a Paramount Chief.

This is according to a petition filed before the Constitutional Court by Jonas Shakafuswa, the director general of the Bene Mukuni Royal Dynasty committee who is also principal administrator and coordinating organ.

Mr Shakafuswa argues that as one of the largest traditional royal establishments found in southern, Lusaka, central and eastern provinces of Zambia should be designated for the title of Paramountcy.

He submitted that the multi-ethic and multi-provincial kingdom extended existence beyond the borders to Zimbabwe and Namibia respectively with its permanent headquarters housed at Mukuni Royal Village near Livingstone since the 13th century.

Mr Shakafuswa argued that the Bene Mukuni Dynasty was established by the Chireya Dynasty.

Tracing their roots from the Congo, they explained that historic records have showed that while in transit, Kashiba- Mashila and her brother Mukuni Mulopwe crossed the Lukanga River were they established a presence in  present day Ngabwe and Chiamba as Lenje, Lala, Soli and Senga peoples respectively.

The petitioner will aver that Mulopwedeparted lenje country with his soldiers southwards and briefly stopped around Chirundu area and leaving his brother Chipepo Syang’ombe as chief there before moving to present day Livingstone on northern bank of the Zambezi River near the Victoria Falls .

They have asked the Constitutional Court for classification by the government of his royal highness Munokalya Mupotola IV Siloka III Mukuni XIX as a paramount ruler with privileges, benefits, protocols and emoluments befitting his paramount status, in recognition of the culture customs and traditions of the Bene Mukuni people.