Chief Nechombo dismisses social media claims

Chief Nechombo, born Langton Chikukwa, has dismissed as false and misleading social media reports claiming that he delivered a traditional court judgment in the case concerning the death of Fungai Nhari, who was allegedly shot at Zhuhe Shukai Mine in Mutoko.

The chief clarified that the handwritten document circulating online, which appeared to show that representatives of Zhuhe Shukai Mine had agreed to pay US$6,500 to Nhari's family and cover school fees for his three children, was not a court ruling but a voluntary family agreement witnessed by his office.

"It is not a judgment; it is an agreement between families. Judgment comes from dare," said Chief Nechombo. "That one, once again, is an agreement between the two under the chief's witness. That is all."

The document, stamped by the chief's secretary, went viral over the weekend, prompting speculation that Chief Nechombo had ordered the payment as part of a traditional ruling. However, the chief said his involvement was limited to facilitating dialogue between the bereaved family and the mine's representatives to promote peace and understanding after the tragedy.

"The issue of ngozi (avenging spirits) is a complex phenomenon," he said. "As chiefs, our jurisdiction goes as far as enabling bereaved families to talk to each other and agree on what is needed to appease their spirits. It is not the prerogative of chiefs to impose on families. We only witness what they agree upon."

Chief Nechombo explained that customary law operates alongside general law in Zimbabwe's dual legal system, with chiefs playing a role in reconciliation and cultural restoration rather than formal adjudication.

"Customary law deals with kuripwa kwengozi - the appeasement of spirits - rather than compensation for life," he said. "It is restorative justice, not punitive justice. Chiefs may witness family agreements, but rulings only come from a dare after proper summons and hearings."

He further revealed that he did not personally attend the meeting where the agreement was reached. "I did not even attend, nor was I anywhere near what is being purported by social media as the chief's judgment," he said. "What took place was a voluntary agreement between the bereaved family and the mine to facilitate burial arrangements under their customs and traditions."

The chief said it was common for grieving or disputing families to approach a traditional leader's office for mediation, which should not be misconstrued as a formal court case.

"When aggrieved people run to the chief for protection, it does not translate into a court case," he explained. "It simply allows them to speak to each other, agree, and maintain peace while court proceedings, if any, continue separately."

Chief Nechombo urged the public to avoid spreading false information and misrepresenting traditional reconciliation processes as formal judicial rulings, emphasizing that his role was purely to witness, guide, and uphold peace between the parties involved.