Chieftainship wrangle sucks in Mnangagwa

A succession dispute over the appointment of Chief Nyajena in Masvingo has escalated to the High Court, with two brothers challenging the elevation of Last Dzivakwe to the chieftainship and citing President Emmerson Mnangagwa and several government institutions as respondents.

Isaac and Haruzivi Jerera have filed an application seeking to overturn Dzivakwe's appointment, arguing that the process was procedurally flawed, violated customary law, and failed to comply with statutory requirements governing the selection of traditional leaders.

In their court papers, the applicants contend that the appointment disregarded established succession customs within the Nyajena chieftainship and ignored recommendations made by the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs.

They argue that under the Constitution and the Traditional Leaders Act [Chapter 29:17], the President is the appointing authority for chiefs, hence his inclusion in the matter alongside the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Secretary for Local Government, the National Council of Chiefs, and other officials.

Isaac Jerera, in his affidavit, said the appointment of Dzivakwe was unlawful because no valid traditional selection process had been properly conducted in line with customary practice.

He further alleged that authorities ignored a recommendation by the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs on October 10, 2025, which had reportedly favoured keeping the chieftainship within the Madzore sub-clan.

According to the applicants, Dzivakwe is neither the eldest eligible candidate nor properly selected under Nyajena traditions. They also claim his appointment occurred while succession disputes were still pending before relevant traditional authorities.

The court papers state that Nyajena succession custom requires a public gathering, or dare, involving all relevant family houses to agree on a successor.

Isaac argued that the late Chief Nyajena, Dzingayi Zengeya, came from the Mateveke house, and that succession was due to rotate to the Mupandasekwa house, specifically the Madzore sub-lineage.

He outlined a sequence of events in which several nominated successors from the Madzore sub-house reportedly died before assuming office, leading to further consultations and disagreements over whether the chieftainship should remain within the same lineage or rotate to another sub-house.

At one stage, Dhoba Marumbwa of the Mupfurashanga sub-house was nominated as a potential successor, being described as the eldest male in that lineage.

However, the applicants argue that despite ongoing traditional deliberations, Dzivakwe was ultimately appointed through what they describe as irregular processes conducted outside formal customary meetings.

They allege that the decision amounted to "backdoor manoeuvring in closed offices" and that proper recommendations from traditional structures were not adequately considered before the appointment was finalised.

The respondents are yet to file their full responses in court.

The matter remains pending before the High Court, with the applicants seeking a declaratory order setting aside Dzivakwe's appointment and compelling a fresh, procedurally compliant selection process.