By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE realignment of Itezhi-Tezhi and Chirundu back to Southern Province has excited traditional leaders in the region, saying the decision by the PF to detach the two districts in 2012 was political and had nothing to do with service delivery.
Chiefs Cooma of Choma, Chipepo of Siavonga and Chirundu, and Chief Sinazongwe said the move is welcome because the first decision was done in bad faith.
The traditional leaders said the realignment of the two districts back to their original province will not only reunite the affected areas but also enable them to move together with the other 13 districts in the province because they share the same development challenges.
Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema made intent of the move for some districts which has since been actualized through Statutory Instrument Number 114 of 2021 and the Provincial and district boundaries act volume 16, cap 286 of the laws of Zambia.
Government has also said that it will take Chama District to Eastern Province.
Recently, traditional leaders in itezhi-tezhi led by Chief Musungwa unanimously resolved that the district be re-aligned from Central to Southern province.
In 2012, late President Michael Sata re-aligned Chirundu to Lusaka and Itezhi Tezhi District to Central Province aimed at improving service delivery.
But the UPND in opposition then, through its Chairman for elections Ackson Sejani vowed to move back the two districts once elected to power, and accused the former late former president of playing politics.
