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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Traditional leaders in provinces around the country yesterday elected Chiefs who will represent them in the Senate, where 18 slots are reserved for them in Parliament.
Those elected include Chief Mathupula and Chief Siansali from Matabeleland North province who were uncontested.
Born Siatandwa Nkatazo, Chief Siansali of Binga and Mandlakazulu Khumalo (Chief Mathuphula) of Tsholotso retained their seats and will serve their third and second terms respectively.
Chief Ngungumbane and Chief Chireya were nominated as Senate Chiefs who will represent Midlands province in the upper house of Parliament.
The two chiefs have also been duly nominated as Provincial Council Chairperson and Deputy respectively. Chief Ngungumbane of Mberengwa garnered 17 votes while Chief Chireya won with nine votes.
Chiefs from Matabeleland South Province also convened in Gwanda where they duly nominated Chief Masendu and Chief Nyangazonke as Senator Chiefs.
In Bulilima district, Chief Masendu garnered 10 votes while Chief Nyangazonke of Matobo district won with seven votes.
Matabeleland South provincial elections officer, Mr Rabson Nyoni said the process was done in a transparent manner.
In Mashonaland West, Chief Ngezi, Peter Pasipamire was declared winner after he was uncontested.
Chief Chundu and Chief Dandawa are going to contest for the second slot with all the chiefs present.
In Mashonaland Central, Chiefs Matsiwo and Nyamaropa from Mbire and Shamva respectively were elected uncontested.
Some of the issues that Chiefs in Mashonaland Central want to take up in Parliament are the welfare of traditional leaders and amendments to the Traditional Leaders Act.
Chief Matsiwo who was re-elected for the second time said his top priority in Parliament is to scrutinise the Act and realign it.
“We are thankful to Government’s effort to improve the welfare of Chiefs. Chiefs now have medical aid cover from the Government and vehicles are awarded after every five years,” he said.
“Chiefs used to receive their allowances at the District Administrators office (now District Development Coordinator). This is now a thing of the past because Chiefs now receive the money through banks where they are treated with respect,” he said.
Chief Matsiwo born Chinheza Chigwajara thanked his fellow Chiefs for showing confidence in him.
He said “roads to Chiefs’ homesteads have been graded, homes electrified and boreholes drilled.”
“This was through efforts of elected Chiefs forwarding these challenges to the listening President Mnangagwa. We are grateful that our issues were addressed,” he said.
Chief Nyamaropa born Munyaradzi Tiringe said it is an honour to be elected into Parliament.
In Mashonaland West, traditional leaders commended people in the province for voting in peace.
Speaking to this publication after his election into the Senate, Chief Ngezi (Peter Pasipamire) from Chegutu district said:
“I want to commend the voters and people in general for voting in peace. This shows that people heeded President Mnangagwa’s call for peaceful polls.”
Chief Dandawa, born Try Manyepa, from the Hurungwe district, who also romped to victory lauded the level of maturity displayed during the voting process.
Also, Chief Zvimba, Mr Stanley Mhondoro and Chief Chundu, Mr Abel Mbasera echoed the same sentiments.
Online Reporter