The Barotse Royal Establishment-BRE- has reacted angrily to the ruling in parliament last week by first deputy speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala that there is no place called Barotseland in Zambia.

Speaking on behalf of the BRE, Ngambela Mukela Manyando said the ruling is not only ignorant but provocative.

Ngambela Manyando says the ruling was careless and will not be accepted by the Lozi people further describing it as insulting, shocking and angering to the people of Barotseland.

Further, Ngambela Manyando says banning the use of Barotseland and replacing it with Western Province is a clear manifestation of ignorance on part of the deputy speaker and the people of western province have rejected the ruling and will continue to call the land Barotseland.

He wondered where the Deputy Speaker found the courage to deny the existence of Barotseland adding that the change of the name from Barotseland to Western Province has not been accepted by the BRE and that it has potential to cause civil unrest within Barotseland and Zambia further urging parliament to rescind the ruling delivered by Ms Namugala last week.
PHOENIX NEWS