Chieftainess Pushes for Delimitation

Kafue district's Chiawa chiefdom is pushing for delimitation, saying rural communities are being left behind in development.

Chieftainess Chiawa of the Goba people has welcomed proposed constitutional amendments on constituency delimitation, arguing her chiefdom should become its own constituency.

The traditional leader says residents face significant challenges accessing services, with the chiefdom located over 100 kilometres from Kafue's constituency capital.

"As people of Chiawa, we are not receiving any service from Kafue Council," said Boniface Chiawa, chairperson of the Chiawa Royal Establishment, speaking on behalf of the chieftainess.

He explained that Kafue District Council focuses resources on urban wards, whilst rural areas like Chiawa receive minimal attention despite generating revenue for the council. Basic services like waste collection and bridge lighting remain absent.

Ward councillor Jones Katiyo said delimitation would bring K40 million in direct development funding to the chiefdom.

The area faces pressing infrastructure challenges, including poor roads and schools dating back to the colonial era. Residents must travel through two districts to reach administrative offices in Kafue for services like national registration cards.

Chieftainess Chiawa also endorsed the proposed mixed-member proportional representation system for women, saying it would guarantee more female representation in Parliament and councils.

"Women in our Constitution are not protected, especially in these high offices," she said, noting few women serve on Kafue's 16-member council.