Traditional chiefs get more powers

LOCAL Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Dr Ignatius Chombo has said government has started extending the influence of traditional leaders to include resettlement areas.

Government embarked on the fast track land reform programme at the turn of the millennium to correct historical imbalances under which the country's prime land was in the hands of the white minority with blacks moved to rocky soils.

Over 260,000 families have so far benefitted from the programme.

Dr Chombo said the move by government is in line with the Traditional Leaders Act which gives the state powers to "install chiefs where there is administrative need."

"The thrust of government is to ensure that all areas in the country should have a chief under their jurisdiction and these areas should be called by the chiefs' names including those in resettlement areas. My ministry has already begun a process where resettlement areas are incorporated in areas of jurisdiction for chiefs.

"This is in line with the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17) which gives government the power to install chiefs where there is administrative need," he said.

Dr Chombo was speaking on Monday at the installation of Jethro Mutendi as Chief Mutendi at Zion Christian Church's Defe Dopota Shrine in Gokwe South District.

President Mugabe assented to Chief Mutendi's chieftaincy on June 9 after consultations with family members.

Chief Mutendi's area of jurisdiction before presidential assent was under Chief Sayi who agreed to relinquish part of his area to the former.

The Minister commended the Mutendi family for negotiating the chieftaincy with Chief Sayi in good faith.

He expressed confidence that the incoming chief would work together with his people in coming up with development programmes to alleviate poverty. Dr Chombo said poverty alleviation is in line with the country's economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim- Asset).

The Mutendi chieftaincy has its roots in Bikita, Masvingo where it emanates from the Rozvi people.

Reverend Samuel Mutendi who is the father of the newly-installed Chief Mutendi was removed by the white settler colonial regime before settling in Marimasimbe in Gokwe South District in 1967 on the understanding that they would take over the Jiri chieftaincy.

Rev Mutendi settled under Chief Jiri but soon there were in conflict with the white settler regime for his support for the liberation struggle which resulted in the cleric's children – Enginas and Edward being incarcerated for their role in the liberation struggle.

Dr Chombo commended the ZCC which is under the leadership of Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi for complementing government efforts through the construction of schools such as Mutendi High and Primary Schools in Bikita, Masvingo as well as Defe Secondary and Primary Schools in Gokwe.

Chief Mutendi is a member of the church.

Speaking at the same occasion, President of the Chiefs' Council Chief Fortune Charumbira commended Bishop Mutendi and his church for respecting cultural values and practices.

He called on government to give more powers to traditional leaders.