ZIMBABWE Electoral Commission (Zec) deputy chairperson Joyce Kazembe yesterday warned traditional leaders against dabbling in partisan politics, saying their duty was to promote peaceful co-existence among their subjects regardless of political affiliation.
REPORT BY FELUNA NLEYA
Kazembe made the remarks while addressing traditional chiefs in Harare.
“I want to draw your attention to the new provisions of the Constitution because some of the people will seek to, if you are not careful, demonise your institution on the basis that your conduct was not consistent with these constitutional provisions,” Kazembe said.
“The provisions are found in section 281 of the constitution which provides that traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics. They should not act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause and violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.”
Kazembe said there was need to work towards a peaceful, free and fair election.
“As traditional leaders, you have a role to play in the promotion of peace between and amongst your subjects,” she said.
Speaking at the same function, Chiefs Council president Fortune Charumbira pleaded with Zec to superintend over the nomination of candidates and actual election of new members of the Chiefs Council.
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“Zec should handle all the elections. No election should be done by the Ministry of Local Government, so the ministry staff should not be there, you should do it on your own. Let the blame rest on you,” Charumbira said, adding that previous elections had been manipulated by officials from the Local Government ministry.
