Muroi chieftainship set for installation

Solomon Charles Mavhenyengwa is set to be officially installed as substantive Chief Muroi on Friday at Mukwirimba Primary School in Zaka North Constituency.

Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe will be the guest of honour, while neighbouring traditional leaders and subjects are also expected to attend the ceremony.

Zanu-PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa confirmed that preparations for the event were at an advanced stage.

"Preparations to install new Chief Muroi are at an advanced stage and everyone is invited to attend the event which will be held at Mukwirimba Primary School from 10am," he said.

However, the impending installation has raised questions over the political implications of the succession, particularly given constitutional restrictions governing the conduct of traditional leaders.

According to well-placed sources, the decision to pass the chieftainship to his son was allegedly influenced by a desire to remain active in party politics.

Section 281(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe bars traditional leaders from participating in partisan politics. The provision states that traditional leaders must not be members of political parties or participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of a political party or cause, or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.

Had Mavhenyengwa taken up the chieftainship himself, he would consequently have been required to relinquish his partisan political role, potentially creating a vacancy in the Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial leadership.

Sources allege that an alternative arrangement was therefore adopted, with Mavhenyengwa retaining his position as Zanu-PF provincial chairman while the traditional leadership was passed to his son.

The arrangement has effectively allowed Mavhenyengwa to remain at the helm of the ruling party's provincial structures while his son assumes the traditional leadership role.

The installation ceremony at Mukwirimba Primary School is expected to draw traditional leaders, Government officials, Zanu-PF representatives and members of the local community.