adminSpeaking to journalists on the sidelines of Traditional Leaders’ Day commemorations in Masvingo yesterday, 4 Brigade Deputy Commander Colonel Gift Murambwa said chiefs and soldiers should co-exist because they served the same purpose in the country.
“Chiefs are the custodians of culture, land and its resources in the country and our duty as soldiers is also to safeguard that land with its resources. Our work with chiefs complement each other, hence the need for our relationship to remain cordial. We have convened this meeting to celebrate the good rapport between us,” said Col Murambwa.
He said the army’s duty was to defend the country and also support chiefs in their developmental endeavours.
“We work together with chiefs in protecting the country’s wealth. The bond between the army and chiefs is strong and from time to time we assist them in developing infrastructure like chiefs’ houses, bridges and attending to other social amenities. Once they make material available, the army would provide manpower for free,” he said.
Chiefs’ council provincial chairperson Chief Veterai Tafirarudo Mabika thanked the army for helping chiefs at crucial times, adding that the assistance from the army had made life easier for traditional leaders.
“We thank our soldiers who have been with us during trying times. They have provided chiefs in Masvingo with farming inputs and they have helped us by building clinics, chiefs’ houses and planting of trees,” said Chief Mabika.
He also took the opportunity to warn politicians against fanning violence, pointing out that all chiefs in Masvingo wanted peace.
“We don’t want violence of any form. We want to advise politicians who buy youths beer during political campaigns to desist from the practice. When these youths are drunk, they engage in violence. No chief in this province will promote violence and politicians should also help us in teaching their supporters to behave well during elections,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Masvingo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Charity Mazula appealed to chiefs to assist police in combating crime.
“We appeal to all chiefs to assist in fighting crime. According to the statistics that we have for one month only, cases that are prevalent in the whole province are domestic violence and rape. Domestic violence mainly results in murder. Our province is divided into four operational districts, namely Masvingo East which has six cases of rape and 18 domestic violence cases. Masvingo West accounts for four cases of rape and 11 cases of domestic violence, Masvingo Central recorded six cases of rape and 20 of domestic violence. Chiredzi has five rape cases and 19 domestic violence cases,” said Asst Insp Mazula.
She said districts in Masvingo East are the most affected areas in terms of crime prevalence. The districts are Zaka, Bikita and Gutu.
“We also appeal to the chiefs in the areas mentioned to educate the public about crime. The police will very soon conduct crime awareness campaigns in most districts and we want your assistance. Chiefs provide safety nets for victims of domestic violence and we also urge you to summon all criminals to your traditional courts after they have served their sentences. You should also charge them so that they will be deterred from further committing crime,” she said.
The meeting was attended by departmental heads from Masvingo, police officer commanding Masvingo Senior Assistant Commissioner Munorwei Shava Matutu, chiefs from all seven districts and their headmen as well as senior army officers.
Online Reporter