By Maimbo Mweemba
Southern Province Minister, Cornelius Mweetwa, has directed the Zambia Police command in the region to find a lasting solution to the challenge of cattle rustling in Namwala district.
Speaking when he officiated at the 2021 Shimunenga Ceremony in Maala, in Namwala district, Mr Mweetwa said the government is aware of the challenge of animal thefts in the area and it is high time cattle rustling is brought to a halt.
And Mr Mweetwa also said government is committed to eradicating livestock diseases in Namwala district.
He said this is why the government has this year vaccinated all the cattle in the district, against East Coast Fever, locally known as Denkete.
“The province is grateful to President Hichilema, for increasing the CDF from 1.6 million to 25.7 million Kwacha; I want to urge traditional leaders, in the region, to ensure the money is well spent, you are part of the local authority,” he said.
And Chief Mungaila appealed to the government to consider developing Namwala, noting it is unfortunate that the area has, since independence, remained behind in development.
Chief Mungaila wants government to among others, construct a new palace and buy a vehicle for the chiefdom.
And Namwala Constituency Member of Parliament Herbert Mapani appealed to government to consider building another hospital in Namwala district.
Mr Mapani said the current hospital is inadequate to cater for the population in the district.
He also asked the government to consider rehabilitating the rundown road, leading to Chief Mungaila’s palace.