Chief attacks police, magistrates for undermining traditional courts

Kamangeni Phiri Midlands Bureau
PRESIDENT of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Fortune Charumbira, has unleashed a scathing attack on the courts, magistrates and the police blaming them for the moral decadence affecting today’s communities.
Addressing chiefs at their annual conference in Gweru on Thursday, Chief Charumbira said there was a growing lack of respect for traditional leaders and their courts by institutions that are expected to play a complementary role.

He said there was a disturbing increase in cases of child abuse, incest and rape owing to the attitude of law enforcers and magistrates who interfere with traditional courts.

“In today’s (Thursday’s) Chronicle, there is a story of a man who paid his own daughter to have sex with her. We see brother impregnating sister. What kind of country is that? It shows the moral decadency in our country.

“As chiefs, we are there at our traditional courts, presiding over cases. We preside over cases and see to it that there is peace and that our people are well settled. Yes, we have our courts, the traditional courts and we have powers drawn from our customary law, which means respect of our culture. The problem is when cases are brought before the chief’s court, accused persons appeal to magistrates’ courts, overturning our sentences, a magistrate born and bred in Mbare who has little knowledge and respect of our culture, who does not even understand the magnitude of one committing incest”.

Chief Charumbira said incest was a serious crime in African societies and only traditional leaders can satisfactorily handle such matters.

He said chiefs could demand five head of cattle for such a crime but magistrates can overturn the sentence and fine culprits $200, an amount he said could hardly buy a single beast.

The traditional leader said people should understand that the fines charged by chiefs are for the complainant and the chief is not paid for his duties.

“These magistrates are destroying our culture. Africans and chiefs are not amused. They are complaining about this. We get nothing from presiding over cases, no pay or allowance. Even our court assessors do not have an allowance but we handle many cases in the country, many people come to us. This needs to be addressed.”

Chief Charumbira said the police also had a condescending attitude towards chiefs’ courts as they either interfere or come up with their own judgements.
“Even when we ask them to go and arrest people who commit crimes, the police tell us that they don’t serve chiefs’ courts; they only serve magistrates and the high courts. The Minister of Home Affairs is here, we want that addressed,” he said.

The on-fire traditional leader also attacked the Ministry of Agriculture for excluding chiefs in the distribution of inputs.

He said chiefs were grateful to the government for availing seed and fertiliser ahead of the summer season but were not happy with their exclusion when distributing them.

“We are not happy with the decision to exclude us in the distribution of inputs. There was actually a letter sent to provincial Agritex offices that inputs will be distributed by a local councillor, the police and Agritex. How can my subjects distribute inputs in my country? This creates disorderliness, Your Excellency,” said Chief Charumbira addressing President Mugabe who attended the conference on Thursday.

Chief Charumbira said traditional leaders can regain their respect if their courts are respected.

He said the chiefs need vehicles and an increase in allowances to help improve their status.

Chief Charumbira said most chiefs were paupers who can hardly afford medical aid or funeral policies for their families.

“When a chief dies, the funeral reflects that chiefs are now paupers. They have nothing, no medical aid, and no funeral policy. We need state assisted funerals. Some of us walk long distances while at times we are forced to travel in crowded buses. Today’s youths do not even bother to offer a chief a seat in a crowded bus. We hope you will receive and accept our requests,” he said.

President Mugabe who officially opened the conference promised chiefs they will receive vehicles of their choice and get an increase in their allowances.

“The issue of allowances and new vehicles consider it done. It is a promise I made and I will certainly fulfil that. You only need to agree on the type of vehicle you want, if it’s a pickup or any type, it’s fine. We will then tell those responsible for buying cars to buy them. As for allowances, that has been agreed on. You are getting an increase but the figure is yet to be decided. That can only be decided by next week. Your other concerns should come as part of resolutions through your minister, Dr Ignatius Chombo. We will look into that,” said President Mugabe.