Larry Moonze
5 July 2003
Lusaka — TREASON threats on Princess Nakatindi Wina are ridiculous and very unfortunate, opposition UPND deputy president Sakwiba Sikota said yesterday.
Commenting on the imminent lease of the Sioma-Ngwezi and Liuwa national parks to a private company, Sikota said all Western Province members of parliament and others opposed to the lease were concerned with the secrecy surrounding the giving away of their heritage without their input.
"To try to scare her (Princess Nakatindi) through these threats is pointless because if indeed the lease is to benefit the community in and around the parks, why should it be hidden?" he asked.
"There is no need to dash signing off heritage of the people. Let's not make mistakes made in the US and Australia where indigenous people's rights were taken away."
Sikota said it was strange that people living in and around the same parks were the ones complaining to parliamentarians. "Surely, these are people who should be involved in any negotiations.
The ones who should know exactly those benefits, who they will accrue to and how their rights have been secured," he said. Sikota said at the moment people were getting more concerned because everything was done under a clock of secrecy.
"This is what we are opposed to," he said. "Even us as representatives of the people don't even know what is there. Chieftaincy should remember authority comes from people and people should always remain paramount." Sikota called on tourism minister Patrick Kalifungwa to convene a meeting at which all stakeholders could see what was on offer in the African Parks Management investment in the two parks.
He said the chieftaincy should know that it was not just ripple benefits or employment creation that mattered but technicalities involved in signing management agreements or leases.
"These contracts have a lot of technical issues. We have heard government telling us during the sale of Ramcoz and KCM (Konkola Copper Mines) that such was to bring greater benefits to the economy but what has happened is the total opposite," he said.
Sikota said management or leasing agreements were not simple without openness. He said if threats on Princess Nakatindi from government and the Barotse Royal Establishment for raising genuine concern were meant to intimidate her, it would not work.
"First thing is I have been involved in every major treason trial since 1990 and there is nothing to suggest that there is anything treasonable in what the Princess said," he said.
"I have seen a treason accused quiver, cry and those who were brave enough to face the predicament they found themselves in. Princess Nakatindi when she was treason accused, she is one of those who were extremely brave and showed no sign of buckling or fear."
On Thursday, the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) stated that Princess Nakatindi's statement on Tuesday was a fabrication, irresponsible and based on utter ignorance and warned her against inciting innocent and peaceful people of Imusho to commit treasonable acts which would plunge the province into turmoil.
The BRE stated the establishment as a politically neutral traditional institution put the interests of the Lozi people foremost as a facilitator of development with well meaning organisations and persons.
The BRE stated that it was unacceptable that Princess Nakatindi should speak with such disrespect about His Royal Highness the Litunga over the ownership of land.
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