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Senior Reporter
All is now set for the National Chiefs Council election today with the council resolving to deploy its outgoing president Chief Fortune Charumbira an appropriate position in its top hierarchy so that it continue tapping in his experience.
The council also resolved to have Chief Charumbira retain his Parliamentary seat so that he will continue to discharge his duties as President of Pan African Parliament whose prerequisite is that the incumbent should be a Member of Parliament in his country.
Chief Charumbira has since told the council’ just ended conference held in Bulawayo that he will not seek re-election as President but has thrown his weight behind his deputy, Chief Mtshane Khumalo from Matabeleland North, to take over from him.
An impeccable source within the National Chiefs Council told The Herald that the National Chiefs Council was unanimous in its support of Chief Charumbira to have an influential role in the organisation. “What emerged is that in order to maintain continuity and give impetus to what has already been built on the institution of traditional leaders, including the desire to attain Vision 2030 as envisaged by the Government, Chief Charumbira, while stepping down as our president, he needs to remain in the top hierarchy of the organisation.
“As a result, we have resolved to deploy him to a position that we will continue to benefit from his vast knowledge given how he has transformed the institution of traditional leadership.
“He has restored its dignity. We have also resolved to ensure that he retains his Parliamentary seat so that he continue to transform Pan African Parliament. We agreed that he needs not only to push the national agenda but to pursue regional and continental agenda through his role in PAP,” said a source in the Chiefs Council.
“So we expect him to take a national position within the National Chiefs Council that will allow him to closely work with Chief Mtshane Khumalo. We also want him to continue harnessing what we have already achieved and help to maintain the trajectory he was spearheading.”
When contacted Chief Charumbira said: “I am happy that I am party of those that are supporting Chief Mtshna Khumalo. I will support him in his new role of President of Chiefs Council which I am sure he will win,” said Chief Charumbira.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Rodney Kiwa said all was set for the elections of National Chiefs Council.
“We now have the programme. We will start in the morning with devotions followed by registration and all subsequent formalities will be explained. We as ZEC are ready for the process but ofcourse we will also be working with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works who are the parent Ministry of traditional leaders,” said Amb Kiwa.
The president and deputy president of the National Council of Chiefs sit by right in the Senate, and each non-metropolitan provincial council of chiefs elects two senators, to give a total of 18 senator chiefs.
Online Reporter