News / National
Traditional chiefs complain of political abuse
08 Apr 2016 at 13:44hrs | Views
Traditional Chiefs in Zimbabwe has raised concerned over the continued political abuse of traditional leaders by some political parties especially during election periods.
Speaking in Parliament on the 6th of April 2016 during a debate on a motion on traditional chiefs' mandate, Honourable Senator Chief Chisunga said "we feel chiefs are being used by politicians and held like puppets on a string. These chiefs are denied of some of their privileges and rights. During the politicking towards elections, the chiefs are then given those things which were due to them because they are now being enticed into campaigning for the party."
Hon. Chief Chisunga further urged the government to restore the dignity of Chiefs and give them all the powers and priviledges that are due to them so that they will remain apolitical.
"Chiefs should be empowered and be given what is due to them according to the Constitution and our culture. As Chiefs, we should merely be observers in political activities and not be players and substitutes in the political game. A Chief should be apolitical" he said according to the Senate Hansard of 06 April 2016.
As Traditional Authorities Support Network (TASNET) an organization that exists to support and empower traditional leaders with the vision of having an empowered and transformed traditional leadership that upholds, protects and promotes human rights, development, constitutionalism and local values; we applaud Hon. Chief Chisunga and all the Chiefs that have come out open and demanded that traditional leaders should act and be seen to be apolitical as detected by Chapter 15 of the Constitution.
The Motion on Traditional Chiefs Mandate was introduced into the Senate by Honorable Senator Mawire on the 24th of February 2016. The Motion seeks among other things to call on the Government to revisit policies that give Traditional Leaders their mandate so that they can effectively deal with issues of moral decadence, environmental pollution and degradation, children's rights among communal communities as well as other incidental issues that may fall under the purview of the Traditional Chiefs' Mandate.
Speaking in Parliament on the 6th of April 2016 during a debate on a motion on traditional chiefs' mandate, Honourable Senator Chief Chisunga said "we feel chiefs are being used by politicians and held like puppets on a string. These chiefs are denied of some of their privileges and rights. During the politicking towards elections, the chiefs are then given those things which were due to them because they are now being enticed into campaigning for the party."
Hon. Chief Chisunga further urged the government to restore the dignity of Chiefs and give them all the powers and priviledges that are due to them so that they will remain apolitical.
"Chiefs should be empowered and be given what is due to them according to the Constitution and our culture. As Chiefs, we should merely be observers in political activities and not be players and substitutes in the political game. A Chief should be apolitical" he said according to the Senate Hansard of 06 April 2016.
As Traditional Authorities Support Network (TASNET) an organization that exists to support and empower traditional leaders with the vision of having an empowered and transformed traditional leadership that upholds, protects and promotes human rights, development, constitutionalism and local values; we applaud Hon. Chief Chisunga and all the Chiefs that have come out open and demanded that traditional leaders should act and be seen to be apolitical as detected by Chapter 15 of the Constitution.
The Motion on Traditional Chiefs Mandate was introduced into the Senate by Honorable Senator Mawire on the 24th of February 2016. The Motion seeks among other things to call on the Government to revisit policies that give Traditional Leaders their mandate so that they can effectively deal with issues of moral decadence, environmental pollution and degradation, children's rights among communal communities as well as other incidental issues that may fall under the purview of the Traditional Chiefs' Mandate.
Source - Traditional Authorities Support Network
