NYANGA South MP Willard Chimbetete (MDC-T) has threatened to take Nyanga District Administrator John Makoni and Acting Chief Saunyama to court over the politicisation of the institution of traditional leadership amid reports that the chief had fired headmen alleged to be anti-Zanu PF.
REPORT BY OBEY MANAYITI STAFF REPORTER
As of yesterday, according to Chimbetete, at least 10 headmen from wards 15, 18 and 19 in Nyanga South had been relieved of their duties and replaced by those aligned to Zanu PF.
But Makoni declined to comment over the matter, saying: “I am not in a position to comment about that matter at the moment. Try me tomorrow (today) when I get back to the office so that I have time to verify on the issue.”
Chimbetete alleged that the ploy was part of a grand plan by Zanu PF to politicise traditional leaders ahead of next year’s watershed elections.
The MDC-T has previously accused Zanu PF of roping in traditional leaders as its “political commissars”.
“I have a list of various headmen who were removed from their positions by Acting Chief Saunyama. Some of them were removed by his late father. This is part of plans by Zanu PF to destabilise rural constituencies ahead of next year’s elections,” Chimbetete said.
“In ward 15, headmen Mukombedzi, Mavhungwa and Chirombo were dethroned following allegations of being anti-Zanu PF.
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“In ward 18, headmen Dirorimwe, Dzokoto and Mapako were also dethroned on the same allegations. Numerous others were dethroned in ward 18, while others are being denied their allowances for close to three years now. This is a bad scenario especially that we are heading for elections. Traditional leaders are supposed to be non-partisan and that they represent all villagers, whether from Zanu PF or MDC.
“This is actually a breach of the Constitution and the GPA. These Zanu PF sympathisers will not bring anything positive to my constituency other than intimidating people, banning MDC meetings and politicising the distribution of resources.”
He said he had referred the matter to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee, indicating he might take legal action if the traditional leader declined to reinstate the headmen. Efforts to get a comment from Acting Chief Saunyama were in vain at the time of going to press last night.
