Chinotimba and other Buhera MPs lash out at Chief Nyashanu over burning down of 28 homes

BUHERA National Assembly members have lashed out at acting Chief Nyashanu following a recent incident where 28 homesteads were burnt down in Mafuruse Village, Buhera Central, over a land dispute.

Headman Marambanyika, who was armed with a High Court eviction order, was assisted by police officers and a Chivhu Deputy Sheriff in the burning of the homesteads, a development which has drawn the ire of all the four Buhera legislators.

At a ceremony where donated clothes were being distributed in Mafuruse village, Ronald Muderedzwa (Buhera Central), Oliver Mandipaka (Buhera West), Joseph Chinotimba (Buhera South) and Oliver Mtomba (Buhera North) who was not present, all stood against the act, which is suspected to have been orchestrated by acting Chief Nyashanu who allegedly took sides in the matter between headman Mafuruse and headman Marambanyika.

Muderedzwa said what happened was shameful and should not be repeated.

"The new constitution only gives chiefs power to preside over customary issues. On disputes about land boundaries they should engage the Rural District Council, but in this case acting Chief Nyashanu has been usurping the power of the local council and rewarding his loyal followers with land.

"These people came eight years ago, so where was the chief all along to act now and try to evict them? As far as the court order is concerned we are looking into the legal aspect and will come to the bottom of the matter through the constitutional route. We will engage the provincial and national chief councils and come to the bottom of the matter," said Muderedzwa.

Muderedzwa said if the eviction was above board it should have been considerate considering the time of the year.

Chinotimba had no kind words for the chief and headman responsible.

"I only remember such atrocities happening during the liberation struggle when the Rhodesian forces would come and burn people's houses to scare them from assisting the comrades. How can a chief and headman order the burning of an old woman, Mbuya Denhere's house? We have no law in Zanu-PF that says people's houses must be burnt. Instead of focusing on developmental issues in Buhera we are burning each other's houses. Now look at us, we are begging for clothes and food, instead of begging for resources to construct our boreholes and develop our district.

"Chiefs should not abuse their powers. Only Government has the power to relocate people, not chiefs. I am speaking on behalf of Government as your legislator. We are deeply infuriated by what happened and will not tolerate such inhuman behaviour in Buhera," said Chinotimba.

ZimRights Manicaland chairman Mr Passmore Nyakureba said as a non-governmental organisation they were touched by what happened and decided to assist the victims.

He said as ZimRights their gospel was on socio-economic rights for all Zimbabweans including access to clean water, shelter and food. Mr Nyakureba applauded the Buhera MPs for standing up to what happened which violated the victims' fundamental rights to shelter.  ZimRights donated 15 bags of clothes and said they would represent the victims legally, to ensure that justice was realised in the case.

Mandipaka encouraged the victims to forgive and uphold peace in Buhera.