Meanwhile, social media Barotseland Watchdog (BWD) have reported that against the usual routine, the Litunga summoned the Barotse Imilemas to escort him to Lealui instead of the usual Zambian Security team, a move that ignited a heated debate at Namuso whether to allow police to escort the King of Barotseland or not!
“It took much pleading from the Limulunga District Commissioner, Mr Hastings Litambo Ndombo, who eventually convinced the Kuta to allow the LITUNGA to go to Lealui with his usual Zambia Police escort because his job as DC would be at stake!” reported sources close to the events.
Litambo’s intervention came after the Office of the President (OP) boss Michael N'gandu and Police Commissioner Charles Lungu failed to convince the Kuta. “So, they used the DC who in turn connived with corrupt Induna Kalonga Lubasi Nalishuwa to persuade the Kuta,” stated the BWD report.
As a compromise, the Litunga's motorcade ended up being sandwiched by Barotseland Imilemas on motorbikes while the police escort followed the Litunga’s official Royal car creating a spectacle much to the amusement of the people who were watching the motorcade!
Some onlookers said it was the first time they had seen Lubosi Imwiko II being given such respect and honour by the people of Barotseland.
In Lealui, the Litunga arrived to a thunderous welcome at around 18:00 hrs CAT.
There was great jubilation and dancing!
Meanwhile, there is great anticipation that the King may make some significant reforms for the Kingdom of Barotseland, among them introducing land reforms and installing a substantive Ngambela.
Currently, speculations are rife of a great fallout between the Litunga of Barotseland, Lubosi Imwiko II, and the president of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, after the Limulunga BRE Kuta publicly accused Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s government of deliberately undermining the King’s authority by recognising some chiefs that the King had dethroned for gross insubordination and selling of land contrary to Barotse culture.
Last year, the BRE revealed that dethroned Josiah Nyumbu was still on the government payroll to allegedly lead a Mbunda and Nkoya rebellion against the long-established authority of the Litunga of Barotseland.
