adminAddressing Zvishavane chiefs at Chief Masunda’s homestead yesterday, Minister Chombo said Government was working on new boundaries for the chiefs to resolve the boundary disputes as well as chieftainship wrangles rocking some communities.
He said under the new boundary demarcation system, each chief would be allowed to have a certain number of households under his jurisdiction for him to be recognised as chief.
“The Government has noted with concern growing issues of boundary disputes and chieftainship wrangles among our traditional leaders and my Ministry has embarked on a nationwide programme to come up with new boundaries for our chiefs so as to put to an end this problem,” said Minister Chombo.
He said in cases where there were chieftainship wrangles, Government would divide the land in dispute into two jurisdictions and allow the families in dispute become chiefs.
“The new boundary demarcations would incorporate resettlement areas and in those areas where there are two families fighting for chieftaincy, we will have to divide the land and install two chiefs,” said Minister Chombo.
He said the new boundary demarcation system was expected to be complete by next year.
“Before these new boundaries are gazetted, Government will first sit down with chiefs and deliberate on these new boundaries. This will then put to an end the boundary dispute problems nationwide,” said Minister Chombo.
Meanwhile, Minister Chombo said the Government had availed a new vehicle loan scheme for the chiefs.
He said his ministry was still finalising talks with the Ministry of Finance that would result in chiefs having vehicles of their choice.
“This time around the chief is free to choose a vehicle of his choice that is suitable in his or her area. Government will then buy the vehicle, but the chiefs would be required to then pay for the vehicle in phases,” said Minister Chombo.
Online Reporter