Chigwedere trying to impose himself as headman - sabhuku, court told

The High Court yesterday reserved judgment in the case in which Mash East Governor Aneas Chigwedere and his cousin Raines Chadoka are fighting over the Mubaiwa headmanship in Hwedza.

Justice Andrew Mutema indefinitely reserved the ruling after hearing arguments from both parties. He ordered Chadoka's lawyer Maxwell Mavhunga of Mavhunga and Sigauke to file his closing submissions by March 27 while Chigwedere's lawyers Masawi and Partners, will file his submissions by April 3.

The case was closed after Mavhunga finished cross-examining Chigwedere. Chigwedere said he had been researching on African history since 1972 and that he was well versed with the history.

He added that he even researched on the history in British and American libraries and that his version should be accepted by the court.

Mavhunga said Chigwedere throughout the defendant's case, had failed to controvert the allegations that in 1965 Wenyika Chigwedere was appointed acting headman after his relative called Mashavani, who worked at the district native commissioner influenced his boss.

Mavhunga said Chigwedere's family did not deserve the headmanship and that they were trying to impose themselves. But Chigwedere said Mashavani was a mere messenger and that he could not have influenced a district native commissioner.