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Cletus Mushanawani Mashonaland Central Bureau
Chiefs in Mashonaland Central are calling for the speedy alignment of the Traditional Leaders’ Act with the new Constitution as the province is now left with 13 substantive chiefs out of 26. In the past two years, the province has lost seven chiefs and the time being taken to replace them is now affecting development.
In an interview, the provincial chiefs’ council chairman, Chief Nembire, bemoaned the delays in installing substantive chiefs. “The number of chiefs that we have lost due to death in this province is now worrisome,” he said. “Out of the 26 substantive chiefs in the province, only 13 are left.
The time being taken to install a new chief is rather long and we call for the speedy alignment of the Traditional Leaders’ Act with the new Constitution.
“Chiefs play a crucial role in the development of their respective areas and the time being spent while families fight over the appointment of a substantive chief is retrogressive.
“As the provincial chiefs’ council, our work is being affected by the failure to align the Traditional Leaders’ Act with the new Constitution. This is giving unscrupulous elements a chance to manipulate the whole selection process.
“Some of the chiefs have been acting for a long time and their hope of being appointed as the substantive chiefs are waning by each passing day and they will end up devoting little energy towards the development of their areas.”
In the past two years, the province has lost chiefs Bepura, Chisunga, Masembura, Nyamaropa, Dotito, Madziwa and Chapoto.
Mashonaland Central provincial administrator, Mr Cosmas Chiringa, said they were also working on the resuscitation of some chieftainships that were either downgraded or abolished by the colonial regime.
“We are currently seized with the resuscitation of the Gomba chieftainship which was downgraded by the colonial regime,” he said. “Initially nine candidates were contesting for the chieftaincy, but the number now stands at three.
“People out there want substantive chiefs, not acting ones. Unending feuds will be the order of the day if delays in the alignment of the Traditional Leaders’ Act with the new Constitution are not speeded up. Substantive chiefs help in the proper governance of their areas.
“There should be no political interference in the selection of chiefs because those with financial muscle will end being installed chiefs at the expense of deserving candidates.”
Meanwhile, businesses in Mashonaland West province have responded positively to the Provincial Affairs Minister’s indaba which is expected to lay the foundation for a strong provincial Gross Domestic Product in fulfilment of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), writes Walter Nyamukondiwa.
Preparations have begun with key speakers already lined up for the indaba that will spell out the development trajectory expected by Government and business’ expectations.
In an interview, Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the indaba this Friday will bring together stakeholders in the key economic pillars of agriculture, mining and tourism among others.
“We have a bias towards the business cluster or enterprise. The idea of the indaba is to have entrepreneurs, big corporates, small to medium enterprise to come together and take the vision on where we want to take our provincial economy,” she said.
Online Reporter