Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura and Luthando Mapepa
TENSIONS have erupted within the Mutema chieftainship in Chipinge District after some clan members appointed Mr Taurai Marava as successor to the late Chief Mutema, sparking fierce opposition from others.
Dissenting voices argue that Mr Marava, being a nephew, is not qualified to occupy the throne.
A ceremony marking his appointment was held last weekend, attended by scores of villagers and traditional leaders.
The event was presided over by spirit medium Mbuya Makopa, regarded as the mhondoro of the Mutema chieftainship, giving the occasion cultural and spiritual weight.
However, other clan members dismissed the ceremony as a sham, insisting that chiefs are not appointed by spirit mediums.
They further argued that the Marava family, based in Bikita, is not part of the nine houses where the chieftainship traditionally rotates.
Adding to the confusion, some traditional leaders under the Mutema chieftainship endorsed Mr Marava’s appointment, declaring him the rightful heir.
Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava, later clarified that the appointment is not recognised, as proper procedures for selecting a new Chief Mutema were not followed.
He also stressed that the Marava family is not part of the Mutema Clan.
Mr Mashava also dismissed claims by a family from Zaka that they are the rightful heirs to the Mutema chieftainship.
“These people claiming to be heirs are not part of the Mutema family. The chieftainship rotates among nine Mutema houses, and that family is not included,” he said.
Mr Mashava explained that the proper process requires the nine houses to first agree on a candidate and then submit the name to their spirit medium (svikiro), not the other way around.
“In this case, we now have a spirit medium claiming to have chosen a chief, but this is being disputed by the greater family. The Mutema Clan will sit down openly, with observers present, to select their chief. As it stands, there is an acting Chief Mutema who is officially recognised,” he added.
Acting Chief Mutema, Mr Captain Samhutsa said the clan completed the process of choosing their substantive chief last year, and submitted the name to the Government for official appointment, but the infighting has stopped the process.
“What they did is unlawful. These people are from Jerera. Taurai Marava is a twin brother to Boaz who is a nephew to the Mutemas, but Taurai is claiming to be part of us. A substantive Chief Mutema was selected in March 2025 from the Gadzai family, but the process is being muddled by these people trying their luck. Marava family is not part of the Mutema family tree. They are even hostile to me as they do not respect me. The Government and family has asked me to remain in the acting position,” he said.
Village Head Albert Mafaone said the clan is now finalising the necessary procedures before approaching the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to facilitate the official installation of Mr Marava as the new chief.
Mafaone said the clan was led by spirit medium, Mbuya Makopa in the process of identifying the successor.
“Several traditional leaders under the Mutema chieftainship have agreed on the appointment of Mr Marava as the new chief. We have followed all the necessary traditional procedures, and our spirit medium, Mbuya Makopa, whom we consult on family matters, confirmed that Marava should be the next Chief Mutema,” he said.
However, Mafaone acknowledged that the appointment was not accepted by all family members.
“Yes, there are a few family members resisting this development despite guidance from our spirit medium. They are disowning him, arguing that he is not a legitimate family member and that he resurfaced from Masvingo claiming to be a son of Mutema.
“But Marava has been facing spiritual challenges in his life because our Mutema ancestors want him to take over the chieftainship. We now want this matter to come to an end. We have already engaged the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, which advised us to resolve our internal differences first before the appointment of a new chief,” he said.
Headman Maunganidze said all traditional protocols were followed in appointing Mr Marava as Chief Mutema.
He explained that the clan had endured years of disagreements over the nomination of a successor before Mr Marava resurfaced in the area.
“After years of disagreements over who should succeed Chief Mutema, one of the sons resurfaced after experiencing spiritual problems and was instructed to return to his roots in Chipinge.
“When we consulted traditional healers, they confirmed that he was the rightful person to take up the Mutema chieftainship. The elders consulted the clan’s spirit medium, Mbuya Makopa, in Ngaone, where all traditional processes were conducted, and it was confirmed that he was chosen by the ancestors and by his late father to represent the Mutema chieftainship,” he said.
Headman Maunganidze stressed that the community urgently requires substantive leadership, warning that development efforts have stalled under the prolonged leadership vacuum.
“We now need a leader. Our Mutema chieftainship jurisdiction is lagging behind in terms of development, and it is time for a new chief to be installed,” he said.
