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Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
TRADITIONAL leaders have said there is a need to ensure inheritance laws protect women in the event of the death of their spouses.
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs deputy president Chief Mtshane Khumalo said this at an event to celebrate the re-election of Chief Ngungumbane, Zama Mkhwananzi of Mberengwa as Senator and the official opening of his home in Bulawayo last week.
“We are here opening this new home, we plant trees in the rural areas to show that we are starting a home just like what was done here. A home like this is commendable. A long time ago, we had men dying and the women would be left behind with nothing as inheritance, maybe a single cow for her tears. Don’t fight for her inheritance when her husband is gone. They assisted each other to build this home and she has the right to inherit it,” said Chief Mtshane.
He said women and children were falling victim to greedy relatives who take away all assets accumulated during the subsistence of marriages. Speaking on the re-election of Chief Ngungumbane into the Senate, Chief Mtshane said it was a proud moment for the people of Mberengwa.
“We are here to also congratulate him for the re-election to the Senate. He has been there for 10 years and has been added five more years in Parliament. In the past 10 years he has been very vocal, speaking on behalf of the people. His silence in Parliament would actually surprise us. He stood up for his people always,” said Chief Mtshane.
Chief Ngungumbane also weighed in on inheritance saying there was a need for a change in the legislation to protect women.
“People must not to be greedy, when a husband and a wife plan to get properties and wealth it is for their children. I cannot go to my brother’s home and inherit his property, it’s uncultured, but people do it. There is this belief that if a clan member has worked his wealth belongs to the clan. That is wrong,” he said.
Chief Ngungumbane said women must be protected and laws must be strengthened so that the girl child cannot be abused.
“We should fill in the gaps that are there in terms of legislation that we have. It is unfortunate that certain things have been overtaken by events, Section 56 (iii) of the Constitution speaks on non-discrimination based on gender, colour, creed, race, religion, culture and so on. So it is clear that the law says we must not discriminate women or even men. So the girl child also has the right to inherit her parents’ wealth in the event of death,” he said.
Online Reporter