News / National
Villagers want chief booted out
15 Jan 2015 at 12:45hrs | Views
A group of over 350 villagers last week stormed Masvingo rural police station demanding to be given permission to demonstrate against Chief Bonface Musara, whom they said was no longer wanted in the area.
The villagers, most of them clad in Zanu-PF regalia, said that they wanted Musara to be stripped of his post because he was abusing their rights daily. "The chief is forcibly taking our cattle and the situation is getting out of hand," said Tinos Moyo.
The villagers took turns to chronicle their problems to the police but the law enforcement agents would not listen. Any demonstration in Zimbabwe has to be sanctioned by the local police. Under heavy police guard the villagers were ordered to go back to their respective homes while their grievances' were being look into.
Some of the villagers claimed that they were being forced to pay money to the chief for no apparent reason. "We are now resorting to using bows and arrows and even knives to protect ourselves from the chief," said a 19-year-old villager who refused to be named.
Musara could not be reached for comment since his mobile phone remained unanswered. But sources within the ruling party said the intended demonstration was stage-managed. "This is just part of factional fighting as the chief is viewed to support Joyce Mujuru," said a source.
Musara was installed under controversial circumstances despite a high court application from other traditional chiefs that he should not be crowned chief. Former Energy and Power development minister Dzikamai Mavhaire installed Musara as chief in defiance of a high court order to stop the proceedings.
The villagers, most of them clad in Zanu-PF regalia, said that they wanted Musara to be stripped of his post because he was abusing their rights daily. "The chief is forcibly taking our cattle and the situation is getting out of hand," said Tinos Moyo.
The villagers took turns to chronicle their problems to the police but the law enforcement agents would not listen. Any demonstration in Zimbabwe has to be sanctioned by the local police. Under heavy police guard the villagers were ordered to go back to their respective homes while their grievances' were being look into.
Some of the villagers claimed that they were being forced to pay money to the chief for no apparent reason. "We are now resorting to using bows and arrows and even knives to protect ourselves from the chief," said a 19-year-old villager who refused to be named.
Musara could not be reached for comment since his mobile phone remained unanswered. But sources within the ruling party said the intended demonstration was stage-managed. "This is just part of factional fighting as the chief is viewed to support Joyce Mujuru," said a source.
Musara was installed under controversial circumstances despite a high court application from other traditional chiefs that he should not be crowned chief. Former Energy and Power development minister Dzikamai Mavhaire installed Musara as chief in defiance of a high court order to stop the proceedings.
Source - zimbabwean
