GOVERNMENT has been urged to give traditional leaders powers that will enable them to effectively deal with child marriages, environmental degradation and other illegal activities that have led to moral decadence.
Veneranda Langa
This was discussed by Senators yesterday in a motion introduced by Manicaland Senator Judith Mawire (Zanu PF).
“Over the years, traditional leaders have been reduced to ordinary people and this has resulted in people losing their traditional values and moral decadence,” she said.
“Parliament must revisit policies that give traditional leaders their mandate so they can effectively deal with issues of moral decadence, environmental pollution and degradation, children’s rights among communal communities, as well as other incidental issues that fall under the mandate of traditional leaders.”
Mawire said traditional leaders were pivotal in assisting government to implement policies such as those dealing with environmental issues.
“Chiefs’ courts must be empowered to deal with cases posing social, peace and security threats so that they decrease pressure on magistrates’ courts. Some of the criminal cases that chiefs can deal with include stock theft, suicide, early child marriages and environmental degradation,” she said.
Mashonaland West Senator Jenia Manyeruke (Zanu PF) seconded the motion, saying young children needed to be taught the roles of chiefs because most of them were in the dark regarding the issue. Senator representing people with disabilities, Nyamayabo Mashavakure said chiefs’ roles must be strengthened to counter the influences of Western culture in children.
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Harare Metropolitan Senator, James Makore (MDC-T) said chiefs must be given their due respect, but they should be wary of being partisan while exercising their duties.
“Chiefs must not be partisan as required of them by the Constitution and they must not make political statements. They should not engage in partisan distribution of resources,” he said.
Senator Chief Chiduku said he watches in pain, as young people go for picnics at sacrosanct sites, and defile the places.
“There are several cultural issues that are no longer being followed by people. For instance, there are cultural ways that must be observed in the burial of young children and pregnant women, but they are no longer being observed. It is because chiefs have been dethroned of their powers,” he said.
Chief Chiduku said the powers of chiefs must be restored and rain will begin to fall.
Other Senators like Keresencia Chabuka (Manicaland) said the numerous accidents in the country were being caused by failure to let chiefs perform rituals at black spots. Harare Metropolitan Senator Theresa Makone (MDC-T) said chiefs’ posts were permanent, so they should distribute resources like land fairly.
“Government must be in charge of their jurisdiction, but at local government level chiefs must be in charge,” she said.
