GOVT COMMITTED TO WORK WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS- LUANGWA DC

Luangwa District Commissioner, Eunie Mumba has said government is committed to work with Traditional Leaders in enhancing development in the country and amongst its people.

Mr Mumba said the Patriotic Front –PF government of President Michael Chilufya Sata was committed to working with Traditional Leaders in fostering development amongst the people.

Mr Mumba was speaking when Chief Mphuka introduced him to Village Headmen and Women at his palace over the weekend.

Mr Mumba said the PF government has put up a lot of programmes and policies that are aimed at alleviating poverty amongst the people.

He said it was therefore important that traditional leaders worked with government so that the laid down policies and programmes are implemented for the benefit of local people.

The District Commissioner urged traditional leaders to take advantage of the free education policy by encouraging their children especially the girl child to go to school.

Mr Mumba said it was sad to note that they were a lot of early marriages and pregnancies amongst children in the District.

He called on the traditional leaders to discourage their subjects as this vice was retrogressive to the development of the District and the country.

And Chief Mphuka of the Chikunda people of Luangwa District has issued a decree that any parent or parents who force their children below the age of 18 years into marriage and those women that will give birth in villages will be punished by his court by paying a cow and five goats.

Chief Mphuka told his Headmen and Women that any parents who will force or arrange a marriage for children will pay a fine of five goats and will be further reported to the police. 

The Chief said it was saddening to see parents arranging marriages for minors who are supposed to be in school.

He also said any women who will give birth at home instead of the hospital will be punished by paying a cow at his palace.

ZANIS