adminAddressing a National Association of Non- Governmental Organisations (Nango) national conference at a Masvingo hotel on Monday, the president of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, said it was important for organisations to consult chiefs before implementing programmes meant to benefit the chiefs’ subjects.
The meeting was meant to cement relationships between civic society organisations, chiefs and Government departments.
The meeting was attended by among others Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Masvingo Provincial Administrator Mr Felix Chikovo, Organ of National Healing and Reconciliation’s provincial structures, Joint Monitoring Commission and Nango representatives.
Chief Charumbira said some of the NGOs had a tendency of disregarding the traditional leadership.
“The problem with some of you is that you want to disregard our presence as chiefs and if you do that we will have problems.
“We feel offended if you just wake up in our territory doing your business or talking to our people without our knowledge,” said Chief Charumbira.
He said organisations that provide relief aid to people in drought prone areas were doing a great job but they were supposed to be mindful of the fact that they should do so with the blessings of the chiefs.
“If you want to operate without any problem, you should approach the councillor, who would then take you to the chief. Once you have done that you are guaranteed of operating freely.
“Our traditional structures should be respected by all who are willing to work with the people and no chief can refuse aid for his people,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the problem with most NGOs was that they have preconceived opinions about chiefs.
“The major problem with you is that you come to us already charged and we are saying there is no reason for you to be angry with us. We are the most democratic institution in the whole world,” he said.
Civic society organisations are on record accusing chiefs of discrimination on political grounds when distributing food.
“I am yet to know of a chief who writes names of beneficiaries of food aid from say, World Food Programme (WFP). That is not the chief’s job to do that and I challenge you to identify those who do it, if any. Chiefs won’t stoop so low to the extent of sitting down and start writing names of beneficiaries of food aid in a community. In actual sense even councillors do not benefit from relief food, they get their allocation from Government.
“You are also free to file your complaints, which should be genuine, to the chiefs’ council if you encounter any challenges in dealing with traditional leaders,” said Chief Charumbira.
On political violence the chief said: “Chiefs do not go public denouncing violence because of the fear of being misconstrued. If I denounce what has been done by one party, people would be quick to accuse me of belonging to party A and if I denounce violence done by party A, they will say I belong to party B. It is important for chiefs to engage the leadership of all political parties involved instead of going public.”
Online Reporter