GOVERNMENT has lost grip in Murewa South resettlement areas after some traditional leaders reportedly defied a ministerial order and appointed village heads, thereby creating chaos.
There are no village heads in resettlement areas, with the Local Government and Public Works ministry recognising village development committees (VIDCOs).
NewsDay has it on good authority that in Murewa, Chief Mangwende’s steering committee has invaded the resettlement areas appointing village heads without government permission.
Recently, an official from the Murewa’s district development co-ordinator (DDC)’s office addressed villagers at Hilton Farm telling them that resettlement areas are only recognised by Vidcos.
The official told the gathering that government’s position is that there are no village heads in resettlement areas until further notice.
Vidcos are elected bodies responsible for representing local needs and priorities at the village level.
These committees act as a fundamental planning unit, presenting village-level concerns to the ward development committees (Wadcos), which then forward them to the district council for planning and co-ordination.
However, according to a letter dated September 15 signed by David Zidya, addressed to potential sponsors, a ceremony to install new village heads in the resettlement areas is being prepared and will be held at Hilton Farmhouse.
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“We are writing to seek your support for a significant event celebrating the appointment of new village heads in the resettlement areas of wards 22, 18 and 7.
“The celebrations, scheduled to take place on September 27 at Hilton Community Court Complex, will bring together approximately 5 000 people from the community.
“The gathering aims to recognise the crucial role of village heads in promoting development, unity and harmony within the community,” the letter read.
Zidya is a Zanu PF central committee member who is leading the fundraising exercise as Nhowe village heads committee chairperson.
The letter was also signed by one Mudzengerere as the committee’s secretary and one Madyambudzi (treasurer).
Mudzengerere is a Zanu PF political commissar for the Virginia area.
The village heads were reportedly handpicked by Charles Mukarakate, who is a member of Chief Mangwende’s steering committee.
Efforts to get a comment from Murewa DDC’s office were futile yesterday.
Government recently announced that there is need to install three traditional leaders in Murewa district as Chief Mangwende is struggling to cover the vast area, leading to the creation of parallel structures.
