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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has warned local authorities not to interfere with chieftainship wrangles but act as facilitators to ensure the credibility of heirs.Speaking at an annual retreat held in Nyanga last week, Engineer George Mlilo said family members should be given time to explain their family trees and history and district administrators should only facilitate the discourse.
His remarks come at a time when there are nasty chieftainship wrangles in Katerere and Zimunya where family members are disputing the credibility of the current chiefs.
“Chieftainship issues should be handled properly. Local authorities should not be biased towards the other part. The family trees are there for each clan which are very clear to solve matters amicably,” he said.
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, weighed in and warned against interference by district administrators who are taking sides in chieftainship wrangles.
“District Administrators, please don’t take sides. You are playing with fire. I’m from a chieftainship family (Makoni) and I’m very sensitive when it comes to these matters. We should call them and let them explain their history. We want to kill this scenario where people would just want to get into positions. We should read to them the information available at the national archives. Let’s simply follow our history,” said Cde Chimene.
On the raging Katerere chieftainship wrangle, Cde Chimene said she was still to meet the parties involved.
Online Reporter