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Herald Correspondent
Government has appointed Mr Grey Sikalelu Muleya, the substantive Chief Binga and has tasked him with helping to facilitate development in his area of jurisdiction.
The new Chief Binga was installed at a colourful ceremony which was held at Bulawayo Kraal Primary School in Binga.
The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Anxious Masuka, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution (Matabeleland North) Richard Moyo, Vice President of the National Council of Chiefs Senator Mtshane Khumalo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Mr Zvinechimwe Churu, senior Government officials and religious leaders.
Hundreds of people from the Binga community, which had gone for almost five years without a substantive chief, also attended the ceremony.
In his remarks, Minister Moyo said all arms of Government were supposed to assist the new leader in executing his duties.
“Again all the political contestants are all here because they have to work with you. May I remind you all that traditionally all these arms were under the chiefs and they should work with the Chiefs.”
Guest of honour Minister Masuka expressed deep appreciation of the progress made on development initiatives in Binga District under the Second Republic which he said had transformed the lives in the community.
The installation came after robust consultations and research by the family and the Government to come up with the successor of the late Chief Binga.
Minister Masuka explained the succession processes and the role of all participants at every stage of the consultation process until it reached the President for appointment.
“The processes were done above board in line with the provisions of Chapter 15 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Traditional leaders Act and those who feel that there were anomalies should approach the courts and it is allowed.”
Minister Masuka also noted the role of traditional leaders in the Governance of the country, saying they fostered development at local level.
“I have been here six times and after realising the slow pace of development in the Bulawayo Kraal irrigation scheme, I then realised the local Chief was not involved in the undertaking. I am pleased to announce that the Chief we are installing today will make sure the project is a success.”
In a skills transfer initiative, Government has sent Binga farmers to Bubi Lupane irrigation project for a look and learn trip to harness the requisite skills and technical knowledge.
The intention was for them to have a clear understanding of the Government’s intention at Bulawayo Kraal.
Commercialisation of fishing in Binga will also be undertaken and consultations with the local financial institutions is already underway to allow borrowing of funds to boost small businesses in the area.
Minister Masuka also said all the Binga Chiefs would be considered for pieces of land for the Zunde Ramambo initiative in the irrigation scheme.
The installation is part of the Rural Development 8.0 which seeks to bring a combination of various development initiatives to transform lives and this can only be successful with a Chief as the driver and overseer.
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