adminThe programme is a major component of the Government’s ongoing indigenisation and economic empowerment drive which seeks to ensure that communities benefit from the natural resources that companies exploit from their areas.
It is understood that the five chiefs from the district have a misunderstanding over the post of the trust chair which at the moment is held by Chief Mvuthu of Jambezi.
Other chiefs from the district are Nelukoba, Nekatambe, Shana and Hwange.
“There is a feeling that Chief Mvuthu who is the chairman of the share scheme trust in the district lives in a remote area and cannot effectively run the scheme.
“Some chiefs feel that the post needs someone who lives near the mining area, someone who can coordinate meetings with mining companies’ executives and the district administrator,” said the source.
Chief Nelukoba confirmed there was a problem over the issue.
He also said there was a need to extend the term of office for the chairman of the trust from one year to at least three years.
“The chairman lives in a remote area, which will make it difficult for him to coordinate meetings. We need someone near the administration offices who would work closely with officers in the administration offices,” said Chief Nelukoba in a telephone interview.
“The other problem is that Chief Mvuthu does not have a deputy. If there was a deputy nearby it was going to be better. We are also not happy with the one-year term of office. That is not workable. At least the chairman should stay for two or three years. The first year will be for him to learn the job, the second year is for gaining experience and in the third year he can be replaced by someone else.”
Chief Nelukoba said the five chiefs were yet to meet to finalise their development programmes and how they would use the money. He, however, said the money should be channelled towards developing schools, roads and constructing dams.
Contacted for comment Chief Mvuthu said he was aware of the issue, but said such sentiments were motivated by narrow interests.
“I have heard the issue but it has not been discussed in our forum as chiefs. There are some people who think in a wayward manner. As leaders, we need to think reasonably and not on tribal lines like the colonial settlers,” said Chief Mvuthu.
“After all I will only be in this post for 12 months after which I pass the baton to someone else. This whole programme is about accountability and there is no way I can abuse community funds. I was born in Hwange although my father comes from Esigodini in Matabeleland South.
“People should not think that way and in any case I will not leave Hwange and I will not fear anyone. I am not a Ndebele chief but I am a true Zimbabwean and there is no need for division because even in my territory there are people of different tribes.”
Chief Nekatambe said there was no need for bickering over the issue, adding that there was nothing wrong with Chief Mvuthu’s leadership.
“It is only that there are people who want to bring confusion. Chief Mvuthu has been attending these meetings for a long time and there is no way he can fail to coordinate activities.
“It is right for him to start after all the post is rotational and next year it would be someone else. It is us who chose him and there is no problem,” said Chief Nekatambe.
He said the chiefs would soon organise a meeting with the provincial administrator Ms Latiso Dlamini to deliberate on how to move forward.
Nine mining companies operating in Matabeleland North Province pledged to contribute a combined $16,5 million as seed money under the CSOS/T.
Hwange District received the largest tranche of $10 million cheque from five coal mining companies that operate in the area.
The companies are Hwange Colliery, Makomo Resources, Chibondo Mine, South Mining and Hwange Coal Gassification.
The five are part of the nine mining companies that participated in the Matabeleland North CSOS/T.
Others are China Sunlight Africa, which operates in Lupane, Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) from Umguza, Liberation Mining in Gwayi and New Dawn Mining in Bubi.
Online Reporter