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Mnangagwa dragged into Masvingo chieftainship dispute
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A former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Lieutenant Colonel, Elliot Piki, has approached the High Court seeking to prevent President Emmerson Mnangagwa from installing a new Chief Hama in Chirumanzu. Piki, who is a member of the Ruzengwe Hama clan, is challenging the appointment, arguing that it should be done in consultation with the clan elders to restore its traditional heritage.
In his application for an interdict, Piki cited Local Government Minister, the President of the Chiefs Council, and President Mnangagwa as the respondents. He is seeking an order that would halt the installation of Chief Hama until proper consultations are conducted with the Ruzengwe clan elders. Additionally, Piki is requesting the court to direct that the legacy of the Ruzengwe Hama clan be restored within a 12-month period.
Piki contends that he is a direct descendant of the Ruzengwe clan, having been born to Joseph Piki Chivizhe. He explains that the three sons of Ruzengwe are the rightful heirs to the Hama chieftainship. According to Piki, the outgoing Chief Hama is a descendant of the Guruzva family, which took over the chieftaincy from the Gaya family. He argues that the current succession system should allow the Ruzengwe clan to assume the throne, as it is now their turn.
In his application, Piki highlights a significant issue he claims has created a gap in the succession system. During a meeting held on June 7, it was revealed that the name "Chemhere" was missing from the records at the Mvuma district office. This anomaly, Piki argues, has excluded the Chemhere descendants from the traditional succession line, even though they are supposed to be among those who are eligible to assume the throne under the clan's rotational system.
Piki further asserts that the appointment of a new chief under the current circumstances would violate traditional customs and undermine the hereditary rights of the Chemhere lineage. He argues that as a descendant of the Chemhere family, he has a clear right to challenge the appointment and prevent any further actions that would distort the established rotational system.
The matter is still pending before the court, with Piki seeking justice to ensure that the traditional chieftaincy process is followed according to custom. He insists that the restoration of the clan's family tree is essential for the rightful succession to take place.
In his application for an interdict, Piki cited Local Government Minister, the President of the Chiefs Council, and President Mnangagwa as the respondents. He is seeking an order that would halt the installation of Chief Hama until proper consultations are conducted with the Ruzengwe clan elders. Additionally, Piki is requesting the court to direct that the legacy of the Ruzengwe Hama clan be restored within a 12-month period.
Piki contends that he is a direct descendant of the Ruzengwe clan, having been born to Joseph Piki Chivizhe. He explains that the three sons of Ruzengwe are the rightful heirs to the Hama chieftainship. According to Piki, the outgoing Chief Hama is a descendant of the Guruzva family, which took over the chieftaincy from the Gaya family. He argues that the current succession system should allow the Ruzengwe clan to assume the throne, as it is now their turn.
In his application, Piki highlights a significant issue he claims has created a gap in the succession system. During a meeting held on June 7, it was revealed that the name "Chemhere" was missing from the records at the Mvuma district office. This anomaly, Piki argues, has excluded the Chemhere descendants from the traditional succession line, even though they are supposed to be among those who are eligible to assume the throne under the clan's rotational system.
Piki further asserts that the appointment of a new chief under the current circumstances would violate traditional customs and undermine the hereditary rights of the Chemhere lineage. He argues that as a descendant of the Chemhere family, he has a clear right to challenge the appointment and prevent any further actions that would distort the established rotational system.
The matter is still pending before the court, with Piki seeking justice to ensure that the traditional chieftaincy process is followed according to custom. He insists that the restoration of the clan's family tree is essential for the rightful succession to take place.
Source - southern eye
