Chiefs fight over land

Sources said the two chiefs were no longer on talking terms amid revelations that the two traditional leaders were now threatening each other with violence.

 

The sources said Chief Mafala once threatened to burn Chief Wedza’s national flag, which was handed over to him during his installation if he did not immediately vacate Zvegona area in Zvishavane.

“Chiefs Wedza and Mafala no longer see eye to eye. They have become sworn enemies. It is sad when leaders fight. They are supposed to be arbitrators and help solve disputes instead of them being caught in the middle of such disputes. Chief Mafala once threatened to burn Chief Wedza’s flag which was handed over to him on his installation day,” said a source.

The source said indications are that the matter would soon be handled by Midlands Governor, Jason Machaya if the two chiefs failed to find common ground.

Chief Mafala, according to the source, was also seeking to evict Chief Wedza from his homestead arguing that the area belonged to him.

Both chiefs confirmed their fight over the two resettlement areas of Oret and Zugaburg as well as control of Zvegona area.

Chief Wedza said he once received threats of violence from Chief Mafala’s men who also threatened to burn his flag.

He also confirmed that Chief Mafala sought to evict him from his homestead in Zvegona area.

“Chief Mafala served me with an eviction notice to vacate Zvegona area failure of which he said he would burn my flag,” he said.

Chief Wedza said he has since engaged Zvishavane District Administrator, Mr Nyasha Zindove to resolve the matter before the situation gets out of hand.

“We approached Zvishavane District Administrator, Mr Zindove so that he could deliberate on this long standing dispute. We failed to resolve the matter on our own. I foresee more problems if the matter is not resolved amicably,” he said.

Chief Wedza said the row with his counterpart started soon after the land reform programme when some of their subjects were resettled in Zvegona communal lands.

He said both chiefs started claiming jurisdiction over Zvegona resettlement.

“We failed to reach a compromise over the control of Zvegona resettlement area and some areas along Nyagate stream, which is supposed to be the border between us,” he said.

Chief Wedza said Zvegona area was under his jurisdiction for many years before his ancestors were later displaced by white settlers more than a century ago.

He said Chief Mafala was only given part of his land by his forefathers in the late 1960s after he migrated from Matabeleland.

“If we trace back into history we see that Mafala is an intruder. He was given part of our land by our forefathers,” said Chief Wedza.

Chief Mafala also confirmed the land dispute with his counterpart, Chief Wedza.

He also confirmed serving Chief Wedza with an eviction notice.

The traditional leader said Chief Wedza had stubbornly refused to vacate the disputed area despite his being appointed a substantive chief of the Wedza area.

“Zvegona area is under my jurisdiction. Since Chief Wedza has been appointed substantive chief, he must relocate to Wedza where his subjects are. We cannot have two chiefs living in the same area,” he said.

Chief Mafala however, refuted reports that he threatened to destroy Chief Wedza’s flag but said he only prohibited him from hoisting his flag while still in his area.

“If he wants to hoist his flag he must relocate to his land and hoist his flag there not in my land. Hoisting a flag in my area is undermining my authority,” he said.

Chief Mafala said he was waiting for the Governor’s verdict over Oret and Zugaburg resettlement areas.

He also insisted he was still going to evict Chief Wedza from Zvegona area.

“I am actually in the process of driving him out of my land,” said Chief Mafala.

Zvishavane District Administrator, Mr Zindove confirmed the two chiefs’ fight over land.

Mr Zindove said the matter has since been brought to his attention and his office was taking the necessary steps to resolve the issue.

“We have approached Governor Machaya to intervene.

We are still waiting for the Governor so that could meet with all stakeholders to try and resolve the issue,” he said.