Sala People Celebrate Senior Chief Shakumbila's Court Victory

Senior Chief Shakumbila at the ceremony

By Paul Shalala in Mumbwa
 

Sala warriors exhibiting their hunting skills

The Sala people of Lusaka and Central Provinces on Saturday celebrated a recent court victory in which their traditional leader Senior Chief Shakumbila's authority had been challenged.

Hundreds of Salas from Nangoma and Mwembeshi constituencies took part in a procession escorting Senior Chief Shakumbila and his indunas from his Chisalu Palace to the main arena where celebrations were held.

The court case took eight years and the Lusaka High Court ruled in favour of Senior Chief Shakumbila on 19th September this year

As part of the Sala culture, traditional warriors exhibited their hunting skills while Lozi dancers from the Kafue flats danced before their chief.


Later, Senior Chief Shakumbila, who spoke through his Palace Chairman Ackson Shibalanga praised the judiciary for disposing off his court case.

And Agriculture Permanent Secretary Dr David Shamulenge pledged government's commitment to the agriculture sector in the area.

Meanwhile, civic leaders in the area are hopeful that with the court case now in the past, development can now be brought to the chiefdom.

"We had challenges to bring development here. We did not know what to do but now we are happy that we can focus on developing this area without uncertainty, " said Samuel Nshimbi, Nangoma Ward Councillor.

Meanwhile, another civic leader says it was not easy to implement developmental projects in the chiefdom due to uncertainty over the court case.

The chiefdom wrangles had given us problems. We were worried as leaders but here we are today, we are celebrating," said Aubrine Mulela, Sichanzu Ward Councillor.


In July this year, the Shakumbila Chiefdom 2014-2019 Development Plan was launched but its implementation was delayed due to the court case.