Govt loses grip on chief appointments in resettlement areas

Government authority in Murewa South resettlement areas is under threat following reports that traditional leaders have defied ministerial directives by appointing village heads in defiance of official policy.

According to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, resettlement areas are not supposed to have village heads. Instead, they are administered through village development committees (Vidcos), which act as elected bodies representing grassroots concerns. Vidcos feed into ward development committees (Wadcos) before matters are escalated to district councils for coordination.

However, in Murewa, Chief Mangwende's steering committee is alleged to have moved into resettlement areas and unilaterally installed village heads without government approval. This has created confusion and parallel structures on the ground.

Recently, an official from the Murewa district development co-ordinator (DDC)'s office addressed villagers at Hilton Farm, reiterating that only Vidcos are recognised in resettlement areas and that no village heads should be installed "until further notice."

Despite this position, preparations are underway to formalise new traditional structures. A letter dated September 15, signed by Zanu PF central committee member David Zidya, invited sponsors to support a ceremony to celebrate the appointment of new village heads in wards 22, 18 and 7.

The event, scheduled for September 27 at Hilton Community Court Complex, is expected to attract around 5 000 people. The letter described the planned ceremony as an occasion to "recognise the crucial role of village heads in promoting development, unity and harmony within the community."

Zidya signed the letter in his capacity as chairperson of the Nhowe village heads committee, while it was also endorsed by secretary Mudzengerere, a Zanu PF political commissar for Virginia, and treasurer Madyambudzi. Reports indicate the village heads were handpicked by Charles Mukarakate, a member of Chief Mangwende's steering committee.

Efforts to get comment from the Murewa DDC's office were unsuccessful.

The developments come at a time government has acknowledged the need to install additional traditional leaders in Murewa, arguing that Chief Mangwende alone cannot effectively administer such a vast area. But the creation of unsanctioned village head structures has raised fears of further administrative chaos.