The bitter dispute over the Makumbe chieftaincy in Buhera has intensified, with the faction that petitioned the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) accusing Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Misheck Mugadza, of orchestrating attempts to influence the succession process while distorting the history of the Makumbe royal lineage.
The latest accusations come after a group identifying itself as the Makumbe Chieftainship family dismissed the petition, describing it as a desperate attempt to influence a customary succession process through public pressure rather than established traditional and legal channels.
The family maintained that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Chiefs' Council and the National Chiefs' Council.
"Succession to traditional leadership is not determined through media campaigns or social media publications. The law and our customs provide established procedures," the family said.
It argued that referring the dispute to political offices undermines institutions established to resolve traditional leadership disputes.
The family also challenged the petitioners to prove allegations of political interference and corruption.
"Those who level serious allegations against government officials and traditional institutions must be prepared to substantiate every claim they make. Smearing individuals and institutions without credible evidence is reckless and does nothing to advance a legitimate cause," the statement read.
Responding to that statement, representatives of the petitioners rejected suggestions that their grievances were driven solely by the Marume family.
They alleged that the statement issued in the name of the Makumbe Chieftainship family was, in fact, authored by Mugadza—a claim they said explained what they described as the statement's defence of the government's position and its interpretation of the Makumbe chieftaincy's history.
"In his response, (Mugadza) appears to be trying to weaken our case by claiming that it is only the Marume family that is complaining. That is simply not true. Our position represents all 13 houses that are direct descendants of Bongozozo Makumbe," the group said.
They stated that the petition submitted to the chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, was signed by a task force representing all Makumbe houses and not by members of the Marume family alone. The petitioners also accused the minister of attempting to rewrite the history of the Makumbe chieftaincy.
"The historical records are available at the National Archives. They show that the Makumbe chieftainship rotates among 14 houses descended from Bongozozo, who was nicknamed Makumbe and was a son of Neshangwe. What he is saying is completely inaccurate and misrepresents the historical record," they alleged.
Questioning the historical narrative advanced by the minister, the group asked: "If, as he claims, the Makumbe chieftainship was given to Nguwaya, then why was it not called the Nguwaya chieftainship? Why has it always been known as the Makumbe chieftainship?"
The petitioners also alleged that the minister has a conflict of interest, claiming he is not a member of the Makumbe lineage but belongs to the Dziva totem of the Nerutanga family.
"He is not from the Makumbe lineage, but from the Dziva house of the Nerutanga family. Why is he speaking on behalf of the Ngundu family while distorting our cherished history?" they said.
In its earlier response, however, the Makumbe chieftainship family defended the current succession process, saying the late Chief Shepherd Chengeta's son served as acting chief for only about three months before his death.
It argued that the Traditional Leaders Act requires a minimum period of acting leadership before a substantive successor can be appointed, leading both the Provincial Chiefs' Council and the National Chiefs' Council to resolve that the materera process should continue.
"Any attempt to portray this as corruption or political interference is both misleading and irresponsible," the family said. The succession dispute, which has now reached the Office of the President and Cabinet, continues to expose deep divisions within the Makumbe royal family, with rival factions advancing conflicting interpretations of the clan's history, customary succession practices, and the role of government officials in the appointment of a substantive chief.
Mugadza had not responded to the allegations at the time of publication.