Security agencies reportedly raid Chief Muchindu’s palace (Video)

Security agencies on Saturday morning, reportedly surrounded the Palace of Senior Chief Muchinda Kankomba Welala of the Lala people of Serenje District, in Central Province.

The Kambwili Royal Establishment Chairperson, Paul Bupe, said it was unfortunate that family members had to scamper from the palace for fear of their lives, claiming that their current whereabouts are still unknown.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka on Saturday, flanked by Chief Muchinda, Bupe said the incident happened while the Chief was visiting Lusaka.

He stated that this was after an engagement with Central Province Joint Operation Committee (PJOC) held at the Provincial Office in Kabwe.

“In the PJOC meeting, one of the strongest allegations that came out was that the Chief had been grabbing livestock from the people of Southern Province who settled in his Chiefdom,” Bupe said

He described this as mere allegation which the Chief and the purported victims had strongly denied.

Bupe said all these had happened despite the Chief traveling to meet the PJOC in order to amicably resolve all raised allegations against him.

“It had been further alleged that Chief Muchinda mounted barriers to illegally levy motorists, allegations that had not been proven to date despite asking police to book all perpetrators,” he added.

Bupe said the barriers, to the contrary, were only a control measure due to rampant reports of mineral thefts at night.

He claimed that there were powerful cartels by local and foreigners, backed by influential people in society who had been scheming against the Chief with false allegations.

“The accusations are that the chief segregates non Lalas. However, during interviews of the purported victims it was observed that these allegations were false,” Bupe said.

He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene in the critical matter before the situation degenerated.

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