Mnangagwa is Munhumutapa, says Chiwenga

CHIEF Murinye from Masvingo will face disciplinary action for his utterances last weekend attacking President Mnangagwa and hinting at an imaginary possible coup.

Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga did not take kindly to the chief's utterances and yesterday told the annual Chiefs' Conference that such statements can only be said by a "drunk".

"What we have seen in the past few days is never done," he said. "Zvekuti munhu anosimuka otaura zvaanoda kuna paramount chief is never done. Zvinoitwa nemunhu anwa mutoriro. In this country it's never done.

"We have one Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa), we have one leader and it is that leader we give respect. It is that leader we show the entire nation what respect is all about.

So, what has been done by Chief Murinye is going to be investigated by the Minister of Local Government and the chiefs' council and if found guilty, disciplinary action would be taken.

"This is Zimbabwe. I thought I should say this, I respect Munhumutapa (President Mnangagwa) and no one touches him as long as I live."

Zimbabwe Chiefs' Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira distanced the traditional leaders from Chief Murinye's utterances, saying they did not reflect their thinking.

"I want to tell the President that we are with you as an institution, what was said is an individual's views and does not reflect the views of the institution, in fact, it's the direct opposite of our views," he said.

Earlier, Chief Charumbira had thanked the President for giving them audience to discuss issues affecting the country.

He said President Mnangagwa had restored the dignity of the institution of traditional leaders that was undermined by the colonial regime.

Chief Charumbira thanked the President for agreeing that chiefs change their official attire from the red robes and hat introduced by the colonial regime to new ones reflective of local customs and traditions.