BEMBA ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT RAISES ALARM OVER ALLEGED SEARCH FOR KAFWAYA’S GRAVE
By Mike Mwendachabe
The Bemba Royal Establishment has accused a group of heavily armed people of threatening and coercing villagers in Lisunga, Lunte District, to reveal the burial place of the late former Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya.
In a statement issued on October 17, 2026, Bemba Royal Establishment Secretary Richard Mukuka says Senior Chief Shibwalya-Kapila of the Lisunga Bemba Kingdom reported the alleged incident to Chitimukulu Kanyanta-manga II.
Mr Mukuka says the group, reportedly travelling in six vehicles, is allegedly using threats and coercion to force villagers to identify Mr Kafwaya’s grave.
He says Mr Kafwaya, who belonged to the Bemba community in the Lisunga territory, was buried in the area following his death.
The establishment says Bemba customary law requires matters affecting communities at village level to be reported to the territorial chief, who then refers them to Chitimukulu or the Chitimukulu-in-Council.
It adds that burial places are considered sacred under Bemba tradition and are generally not to be disturbed when no burial ceremony is taking place.
The establishment has described the alleged conduct as provocative, raising concerns about respect for Bemba customs and traditions, particularly in light of reports that threats are being used to compel villagers to disclose the location of a burial site.