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MDC-T clash with Mashonaland East traditional leader
22 Sep 2015 at 01:13hrs | Views
MDC-T has clashed with Mashonaland East traditional leader, Chief Enos Musarurwa, after the opposition party failed to inform him of the death of one of its supporters last week during celebrations to mark the party's 16th anniversary at Nharira growth point in Chikomba district.
A party youth drowned while bathing at a nearby river. MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the gathering. Nharira falls under Chief Musarurwa's jurisdiction. In an interview at the weekend, Chief Musarurwa said he was disappointed by the MDC-T's failure to respect traditional and cultural values.
"I am very cross with the party. They were supposed to consult me so that I could advise them of sacred places.
"The kind of arrogance the party has shown is the very reason why they end up claiming that we support Zanu-PF. The ruling party informs us of any of their meetings and even invites us. We have attended meetings for Zanu-PF because we have worked with the party well because of its respect for traditional leaders," said Chief Musarurwa.
"They should have approached me. I just heard that they were coming to have an anniversary.
"The same thing with the death of their supporter, they never informed me.
"I just heard about it through rumours. A political party with discipline does not do that. It respects custodians of traditional and cultural institutions."
He said the drowning of a party supporter could be linked to their defiling of sacred places in the area.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu confirmed the death.
"One of our party youths drowned in a small pond near Nharira business centre as he was bathing early on Saturday morning, on September 12, 2015," said Mr Gutu.
He said the party had tasked Masvingo Senator, Mr Misheck Marava to engage Chief Musarurwa.
"Our party portfolio secretary for traditional leaders, Hon. Senator Micheck Marava, is now seized with this matter.
"We understand that Sen Marava has since been in touch with Chief Musarurwa and the matter is being amicably resolved.
"As the MDC,we respect and uphold the institution of traditional leaders. Any inconvenience that might have been caused to the local traditional leaders is most sincerely regretted," said Mr Gutu.
A party youth drowned while bathing at a nearby river. MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai addressed the gathering. Nharira falls under Chief Musarurwa's jurisdiction. In an interview at the weekend, Chief Musarurwa said he was disappointed by the MDC-T's failure to respect traditional and cultural values.
"I am very cross with the party. They were supposed to consult me so that I could advise them of sacred places.
"The kind of arrogance the party has shown is the very reason why they end up claiming that we support Zanu-PF. The ruling party informs us of any of their meetings and even invites us. We have attended meetings for Zanu-PF because we have worked with the party well because of its respect for traditional leaders," said Chief Musarurwa.
"They should have approached me. I just heard that they were coming to have an anniversary.
"The same thing with the death of their supporter, they never informed me.
"I just heard about it through rumours. A political party with discipline does not do that. It respects custodians of traditional and cultural institutions."
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu confirmed the death.
"One of our party youths drowned in a small pond near Nharira business centre as he was bathing early on Saturday morning, on September 12, 2015," said Mr Gutu.
He said the party had tasked Masvingo Senator, Mr Misheck Marava to engage Chief Musarurwa.
"Our party portfolio secretary for traditional leaders, Hon. Senator Micheck Marava, is now seized with this matter.
"We understand that Sen Marava has since been in touch with Chief Musarurwa and the matter is being amicably resolved.
"As the MDC,we respect and uphold the institution of traditional leaders. Any inconvenience that might have been caused to the local traditional leaders is most sincerely regretted," said Mr Gutu.
Source - the herald
