Matabeleland South chiefs meet to elect Senate representatives

Temba Dube Senior Reporter
CHIEFS in Matabeleland South yesterday started arriving in the provincial capital Gwanda to select two of their members to represent them in the Senate. Speaking soon after arrival, Chief Masendu said about 35 chiefs are expected to converge and cast their vote at 10 am today.

“First of all I would like to commend Zimbabweans for voting peacefully in the harmonised elections. As chiefs, we expect a smooth vote and the results will be announced soon after the vote,” said Chief Masendu.

Chiefs in all eight rural provinces will meet across the country today to select 16 of their representatives who will take up seats in the Senate as required by the new constitution.

The 16 will join Chiefs’ Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira and his deputy Chief Mtshane Khumalo who became the first senators after being re-elected to their positions two weeks ago.

The meetings of the chiefs’ provincial assemblies will take place at various centres at 10 am.
Two would be elected from each province.

In Matabeleland South they are meeting at the Government buildings.
The date of the elections of the chiefs was proclaimed by President Mugabe in Statutory Instrument 86 of 2013 gazzeted in June.

According to the new constitution, the Senate will have 80 members.
From the 80, 60 will be selected from the 10 provinces using a system of proportional representation.

Chief Charumbira and his deputy Chief Mtshane will be ex-officio members of the Senate.
Persons living with disabilities complete the list by providing two members to represent them in the  Senate.