THERE is little, if any, argument that traditional leaders are custodians of the communities whose role spreads beyond their cultural boundaries.
Their responsibility is not just about preserving the culture and tradition but also ensure that the well-being of the community is protected from various factors that could bring divisions.
In many countries today, chiefs apparently play a major role in managing land tenure, local justice, property inheritance, and the implementation of customary laws among their subjects.
Furthermore, traditional leaders are crucial to conflict resolution among subjects.
Traditional leaders are influential people wielding a tag of role models in society, and any negative political message from them has a potential to divide their communities.
But in order to carry out these duties, the role of chiefs and messages should surely be devoid of political hate or any bias.
Probably, it is against this background that traditional leaders have been prevented from taking part in active politics. There is fear that once they take sides, chiefs are likely to divide their own communities, thereby fail to protect the society.
Subjects expect that any statement from their traditional leader would be like a parental guide aimed at helping people to be better citizens rather radicalising them into dissidents.
Unfortunately, we have had some traditional leaders in recent times in the country whose statements have all the hallmarks of a frustrated opposition leader.
Their stance on certain issues has always been political and confrontational which has raised questions as to whether they mean well not only to Government but to their subjects.
Therefore, the advice from Southern Province Nathaniel Mubukwanu for chiefs to desist from making political statements is not only timely but also wise and should be adhered to.
Mr Mubukwanu said at the weekend during the Shimunenga traditional ceremony of the Ila people of Namwala District that traditional leaders are for all Zambians regardless of political affiliation.
Indeed, traditional leaders are guardians of society and it would certainly be unjust for them to be in the forefront in issuing political statements that have the potential to divide their subjects.
What should be noted perhaps is that outrageous political statements by traditional leaders do not only have the potential to divide the people, but also strip off the dignity of the chiefs.
Worse still, political statements by traditional leaders have the potential to cause rebellion among the subjects especially that these chiefs preside over people that belong to various political groupings.
It is a well known fact that traditional leaders are part of the country’s governance system. They implement customary laws; they advise the Government on various development issues and above all, they share the common vision with the Government of improving the lives of the people.
In this regard, it is expected that traditional leaders would work with the Government of the day in bringing development to the people.
But this does not in any way suggest that the freedom of expression for chiefs must be restricted on the basis of working with the Government.
There is certainly a civil way in which the grievances of traditional leaders could be delivered without necessarily insulting and causing apprehension among the subjects with political statements.
As stated earlier, some statements are more like that of a frustrated opposition leader whose stance is to oppose everything done by the Government.
One would just hope that some chiefs would not fall prey to political gimmicks that are aimed at using traditional leaders to gain political mileage!  OPINION