President Edgar Lungu says that government will not interfere in the selection of the next Chief Jumbe.
The head of states says that this is because government respects traditional leadership in the country.
President Lungu said this in a message delivered by Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Given Lubinda at the burial of late Chief Jumbe the fourth, Robert Zulu in Mambwe on Thursday.
The president however, says that there is need for the family to choose a developmental oriented person, who would foster development in the family, chiefdom and the nation at large.
He says Chief Jumbe was like a chief inspector of developmental projects in Mambwe District, adding that he was pleased with what he had done during his tenure.
And Clerk of House of Chiefs, Michael Pwete says the late chief was constructive and intelligent.
Meanwhile Senior Chief Nsefu of the Kunda Speaking People appealed to government to provide protection to gazzeted chiefs.
The traditional leader alleged that when Chief Jumbe was alive, some people had attempted to kill him and that the perpetrators were not punished.
And Chipata Catholic Diocese Bishop George Lungu says the late Chief was focused on development and Christianity.
Bishop Lungu, who presided at a requiem mass for the late traditional leader, says it is sad that some chiefs are mistreating their subjects by giving them hash punishment.
The late chief, who died last week after being diagnosed with suspected High blood pressure, had been on the throne since 1996.
He was born in 1970 and is survived by four children and a wife.