News / National
Chief accused of meddling in political affairs, villagers fined for failing to obey his orders
28 Jan 2013 at 09:16hrs | Views
Gutu -The Member of House of Assembly for Gutu North Constituency Honourable Edmore Maramwidze Hamandishe has accused Chief Chitsa of meddling in political affairs and exploiting villagers in the constituency through charging astronomical penalties at his traditional court.
Speaking in a telephone interview last week, Honourable Hamandishe accused Chief Chitsa Oliver Chibvongodze Chitsa of reflecting overt bias in the execution of his duties. He added the Chief was also grossly exploiting villagers by demanding astronomical fine at his traditional court.
"I am not happy with the manner in which the Chief is executing his duties because he has indicated he is a Zanu PF supporter by diverting government programmes into political party activities. Chief Chitsa participated in the distribution of food aid and his aides claimed Zanu PF sourced the food. As far as I am concerned the grain loan scheme and other food relief scheme are a result of government efforts to alleviate hunger. It is unfortunate Chief Chitsa has declared allegiance to Zanu PF and he is not willing to work with the MDC leadership. It is high time we confront traditional leaders over their interference in political affairs. He recently participated in the formation of Zanu PF structures and he forced villagers to join the former ruling party. It is unfortunate to note that the traditional leader is actively acting like a Zanu PF political commissar. Chief Chitsa has failed to account for funds he collected in 2010 claiming he wanted to source grain for villagers in ward 10,"said Honourable Hamandishe.
He said Chief Chitsa was asking for astronomical penalties at his traditional court for flimsy issues adding there was gross exploitation at the traditional court. Dubbed the Gurumbindi court, the mere mention of the chief's court sends shivers down the intended victims' spines.
"I think some of the penalties at the Chief's court are too high because while we acknowledge the need for sanity in the community, it is unfair to ask for high penalties for petty issues. It is on record that the Chief is pocketing close to $ 200 per sitting that is realized from cases he presides over every week. Villagers have been fined for failing to obey the Chief's orders and at times the cases are politically motivated. In actual fact as a Member of the House of Assembly, I am concerned about the exploitation of villagers in the area. Sometimes he asks for goats and I sincerely believe that a traditional court is not a forum for fundraising, "said Honourable Hamandishe.
Meanwhile Chief Chitsa was recently spotted at a braai spot at Mupandawana hanging around with beautiful ladies at the giant growth point-much to the chagrin of villagers he is allegedly exploiting at his traditional court. Villagers in his area accuse him of being a Zanu PF politician instead of being a traditional leader who serves the interests of his subjects.
Speaking in a telephone interview last week, Honourable Hamandishe accused Chief Chitsa Oliver Chibvongodze Chitsa of reflecting overt bias in the execution of his duties. He added the Chief was also grossly exploiting villagers by demanding astronomical fine at his traditional court.
"I am not happy with the manner in which the Chief is executing his duties because he has indicated he is a Zanu PF supporter by diverting government programmes into political party activities. Chief Chitsa participated in the distribution of food aid and his aides claimed Zanu PF sourced the food. As far as I am concerned the grain loan scheme and other food relief scheme are a result of government efforts to alleviate hunger. It is unfortunate Chief Chitsa has declared allegiance to Zanu PF and he is not willing to work with the MDC leadership. It is high time we confront traditional leaders over their interference in political affairs. He recently participated in the formation of Zanu PF structures and he forced villagers to join the former ruling party. It is unfortunate to note that the traditional leader is actively acting like a Zanu PF political commissar. Chief Chitsa has failed to account for funds he collected in 2010 claiming he wanted to source grain for villagers in ward 10,"said Honourable Hamandishe.
He said Chief Chitsa was asking for astronomical penalties at his traditional court for flimsy issues adding there was gross exploitation at the traditional court. Dubbed the Gurumbindi court, the mere mention of the chief's court sends shivers down the intended victims' spines.
"I think some of the penalties at the Chief's court are too high because while we acknowledge the need for sanity in the community, it is unfair to ask for high penalties for petty issues. It is on record that the Chief is pocketing close to $ 200 per sitting that is realized from cases he presides over every week. Villagers have been fined for failing to obey the Chief's orders and at times the cases are politically motivated. In actual fact as a Member of the House of Assembly, I am concerned about the exploitation of villagers in the area. Sometimes he asks for goats and I sincerely believe that a traditional court is not a forum for fundraising, "said Honourable Hamandishe.
Meanwhile Chief Chitsa was recently spotted at a braai spot at Mupandawana hanging around with beautiful ladies at the giant growth point-much to the chagrin of villagers he is allegedly exploiting at his traditional court. Villagers in his area accuse him of being a Zanu PF politician instead of being a traditional leader who serves the interests of his subjects.
Source - Honest Makanyire
