adminRobin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE Council of Chiefs president Chief Fortune Charumbira has warned chiefs against meddling in factional politics saying they are supposed to be custodians of national culture and heritage and should resist engaging in political fights.
He said chiefs should not be involved in factional political fights or allow themselves to be dragged into such but should concentrate on denouncing the proliferation of such alien cultures as homosexuality and abortion in the country.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the National Chiefs Conference in Bulawayo yesterday, Chief Charumbira said chiefs should not give in to the demands of opposition political parties some of which were packaged via Non-Governmental Organisations.
“We have problems with some NGOs in this country that are meddling in the politics of the county and our people should not entertain that. These NGOs bring in homosexuality and things like abortion which is not what we want. We do not want homosexuality in this country,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the nation must be strong in maintaining cultural practices that embodies values of ubuntu/unhu. Chief Charumbira said it was also important that young people who have taken up positions of power respect traditional leaders such as chiefs.
“Young people in political leadership should not be found disrespecting chiefs; you find them questioning us as to why we are seen at political activities saying we should not take part in politics. That is not right, it is important that they respect us while we do our job,” he said.
He said chiefs should be respected as the Constitution stipulated that they deserve dignity from all.
Chief Charumbira said headmen were now receiving allowances each month which he said was a plus as they had no other source of income beside the little that they were getting through the benevolence of villagers in their areas.
He said the chiefs were grateful for the support that President Mugabe was giving them, adding that their salary was coming on time together with other Government workers. He said plans were also afoot to ensure widows and children of chiefs were assisted when the chief dies.
Deputy president of the Council of Chiefs Mtshane Khumalo applauded the move to buy new vehicles for chiefs saying it was long overdue.
“This is a welcome development looking at the fact that chiefs last got cars 13 years ago, so these new ones will go a long way in assisting us in carrying out our duties,” he said.
Online Reporter