Makumbe chieftaincy row reaches President's Office

The Makumbe royal family has petitioned the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), seeking urgent intervention over what it alleges are political interference and irregularities in the appointment of a substantive chief for the Makumbe clan in Buhera District, Manicaland Province.

In a letter dated July 21, 2026, addressed to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, the family appealed for intervention over what it described as "serious irregularities and political interference in the process of selecting and installing a substantive chief for the Makumbe clan in Manicaland province."

The petition, which bears an acknowledgment stamp from the OPC, alleges that the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, is interfering with the traditional succession process.

"We regret to allege that the Resident Minister of State for Manicaland Province is unduly interfering with the lawful processes by influencing the duly appointed bodies... We are not being consulted on matters that affect us as a family," the petition states.

According to the royal family, the Chengeta House's turn to provide a substantive chief came to an end following the death of the late acting chief, and customary succession now requires another house within the Makumbe dynasty to nominate the next substantive chief.

"The turn of the Chengeta House has lapsed by the death of an acting chief... and now they are pushing for the installation of a brother to the late chief from the same house, disregarding our longstanding tradition," the family said.

The petition further argues that appointing another chief from the same house would contradict resolutions reached during meetings of the Makumbe royal family held in May and July this year.

"Proceeding to appoint from the same House disregards the resolutions of the Makumbe houses meeting... The houses have already agreed on which house is ascending to the Chieftainship this time around," the letter reads.

Beyond the succession dispute, the family raises allegations of corruption and abuse of office involving local government officials.

The petition alleges irregular appointments of village heads, unlawful allocation of communal land, attempts to install another acting chief despite the existence of a High Court interdict, and efforts to frustrate what the family describes as the lawful selection process.

"We further allege that the act by these few individuals is aimed at covering alleged misconduct by the lower offices in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works especially by the DDC's office," the petition states.

It further alleges that "this interference is intended to shield certain individuals from investigations and possible prosecution."

The family has asked the Office of the President and Cabinet to direct an immediate halt to any political interference in the succession process, instruct the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to proceed with the appointment of a substantive chief in accordance with customary practices and the Traditional Leaders Act, and institute investigations into the allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

"We believe the said interventions are necessary to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of our traditional institutions, and maintain peace and stability in the Makumbe community," the family said.

The allegations contained in the petition have not been independently verified, and the officials named had not publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication. The Office of the President and Cabinet has acknowledged receipt of the petition.