Zanu-PF loving chief's woes mount

A local villager has taken legal action against acting Chief Tendai Saurombe, accusing him of breaching the Constitution by urging that President Emmerson Mnangagwa be granted life presidency.

The lawsuit, filed at the High Court by Pritchard Tafadzwa Paradzayi through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), follows Chief Saurombe's refusal to retract comments he made during a community event on drug abuse awareness in Biriiri.

ZLHR had previously given the chief a ten-day ultimatum, formally served on September 5, 2025, demanding a public retraction and apology for statements deemed partisan and unconstitutional. In a video of the event, Chief Saurombe can be heard chanting the ruling party slogan, Pamberi neZanu-PF, while advocating for Mnangagwa to hold life office.

According to ZLHR, the chief's actions violated Section 281(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits traditional leaders from acting in a partisan manner or advancing the interests of any political party. "Our client contends that through your utterances, you acted in a partisan manner, furthered the interests of Zanu-PF, and violated the fundamental rights and freedoms of the general citizenry of Zimbabwe," reads part of the formal letter to Chief Saurombe.

The legal team cited a recent High Court judgment involving Chief Seke, Stanley Chimanikire, who was ordered to retract partisan remarks and issue an apology after chanting political slogans. The ruling affirmed that such conduct by traditional leaders is unconstitutional.

Sources confirmed that both the National Council of Chiefs and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, led by Minister Daniel Garwe, have been served as respondents. The acting chief himself has yet to receive the court papers.

ZLHR spokesperson Kumbirai Mafunda said the lawyers were "finalising internal processes" before making further public statements.

Chief Saurombe's comments, made during a non-political community event, have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists, legal experts, and opposition figures, who insist that traditional leaders must remain neutral and serve all citizens equally. Prominent human rights lawyer Obey Shava described the chief's remarks as "plainly unconstitutional," while the Citizens Coalition for Change warned that politicising traditional institutions undermines democracy and fuels division in rural communities.

The controversy arises amid Zanu-PF's move to extend President Mnangagwa's term from 2028 to 2030, a process spearheaded by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. Observers note that while traditional leaders are expected to remain apolitical, some align with Zanu-PF for material benefits or to secure their positions.