Political interference compromise our work: Traditional leaders

Traditional leaders have said they are critical stakeholders in the promotion and preservation of peace in local communities and cried foul that there is interference in their work.

This was revealed by the Heal Zimbabwe Trust which said the traditional leaders have a constitutional obligation of resolving disputes among people in their communities which brings peace and development in local communities.

"Chapter 15 of the constitution acknowledges that Traditional leadership plays a key role in the prevalence of peace and facilitation of development," the trust said.

"It is in pursuit of the realization of such a role that Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) in partnership with Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET) conducted a Traditional Leaders Capacity building workshop in Masvingo at Nyuni Mountain lodge on the 18th of May 2016. The meeting was attended by 29 traditional leaders (4 women and 25 men) mainly village heads from Bikita and Zaka."

The trust said the objectives of the workshop were to raise awareness on the roles and responsibilities of traditional leaders as enshrined in chapter 15 of the constitution as well as raising awareness on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).