Opinion / Columnist
Chiefs turned into Zanu-PF commissars
17 Jun 2021 at 01:09hrs | Views
THAT last month President Emmerson Mnangagwa handed over Isuzu double cab trucks to chiefs, about two years before Zimbabwe goes to crucial polls is questionable and smacks of vote-buying, if not rigging.
Why are vehicles always bought and distributed when we are towards elections? It is wrong, unacceptable and criminal for anyone to try to influence and use traditional leaders for political mileage.
The traditional leaders' roles, duties and area of jurisdiction are clear according to the dictates of the Constitution.
But Zanu-PF has always used traditional leaders in contravention of the Constitution.
The four-wheel gifts are meant to buy the chiefs' allegiance. This must stop.
The fairness of the forthcoming elections is already in doubt, especially in rural areas where chiefs will compete to please Zanu-PF as a thank you for the things they are being given and promised.
The economic situation remains gloomy, but the government is spending millions of dollars to please traditional leaders. This brings to the fore the question of this government's priorities and commitment to free, fair and credible polls.
Compromised chiefs will definitely act as Zanu-PF political commissars, telling people which party meetings to attend and who to vote for.
Traditional leaders must confine themselves to their constitutional mandate and stay away from partisan politics.
Why are vehicles always bought and distributed when we are towards elections? It is wrong, unacceptable and criminal for anyone to try to influence and use traditional leaders for political mileage.
The traditional leaders' roles, duties and area of jurisdiction are clear according to the dictates of the Constitution.
But Zanu-PF has always used traditional leaders in contravention of the Constitution.
The four-wheel gifts are meant to buy the chiefs' allegiance. This must stop.
The fairness of the forthcoming elections is already in doubt, especially in rural areas where chiefs will compete to please Zanu-PF as a thank you for the things they are being given and promised.
The economic situation remains gloomy, but the government is spending millions of dollars to please traditional leaders. This brings to the fore the question of this government's priorities and commitment to free, fair and credible polls.
Compromised chiefs will definitely act as Zanu-PF political commissars, telling people which party meetings to attend and who to vote for.
Traditional leaders must confine themselves to their constitutional mandate and stay away from partisan politics.
Source - newsday
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