THE Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has finally brought to an end the Masunda chieftainship wrangle that had taken four years since the death of Josiah Hungwe at 102 years in 2010.
ALLIEWAY NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking on behalf of the Local Government ministry, Zvishavane district administrator (DA) Ngonidzashe Zindove said the Vengesa family had been nominated as the official successor and will be installed at Sasula kraal near Mabasa business centre tomorrow.
“The Minister (Ignatius Chombo) prefers that the families agree on and provide a candidate for the Masunda chieftainship and we have facilitated that. Everything has been done procedurally and according to the book. Hence from all facilitations Luxon Nyoni from the Vengesa (family) is to be installed new Chief Masunda,” said Zindove.
The Masunda chieftainship has been embroiled in a tense wrangle with the late Chief Masunda’s son Simon Hungwe, who was the chief’s assistant and was acting chief for four years after his fathers’ death refusing to pass the baton to the next family.
Descendants and sub-families, namely Mashandure, Vambe, Chasura, Tirivangani, Mavhuna, Mbungani, Masunda, Gwese, Mafuwe, Harazanye, Mhiri, Mapingure, Fofo, Msariri, Madhobhi, Njese and Gava have been in the battle to succeed the late centurion leader.
Although the ministry had finalised that Nyoni takes over power, Hungwe is said to have been left a bitter man as he wanted to carry on his father’s legacy. However, the DA said his term had come to an end as he had been given the opportunity to be in command during his father’s old age and another four years after he passed away.
“Hungwe had been fairly been given his opportunity to take his father’s legacy for a period of time and it was time for the family to pass on the chieftainship to another family as by the book and law,” said Zindove.
