adminChief Negomo, Mr Luscious Chitsinde, on Wednesday summoned PM Tsvangirai to appear before his court in Chiweshe tomorrow for paying lobola during the sacred month of November.
Yesterday MDC-T described Chief Negomo’s decision as “awkward” and “legally foolish”.
The party has on several occasions clashed with traditional leaders for disrespecting them.
In a statement yesterday, the MDC-T claimed that PM Tsvangirai’s marriage saga was a joint plot by Zanu-PF and “junta element” who were “desperate” in the face of defeat in the next elections.
The party said a faction within Zanu-PF was trying to create conditions for the total breakdown of the inclusive government, for its own “reasons, which are narrow and parochial”.
“What is clear is that Zanu-PF and State security agents are abusing this chief as part of their propaganda war against the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.
“Having been booked at a five star hotel in Harare, Chief Negomo with the help of other Zanu-PF activists sought to serve the summons himself on the Prime Minister. Perhaps the incompetent people behind this sting operation forgot to advise the chief that the judge does not serve summons himself but that summons are served by a messenger of court,” read the statement.
MDC-T said by acting as his own messenger, the chief failed to appreciate the difference between his role as a traditional leader from his role as “a Zanu-PF activist”.
The party said the invitation of the press in his “ill-advised” venture betrayed the intention behind the decision.
“It also shows the extent to which Zanu-PF has debased the institution of traditional leaders in this country.
“Despite what Chief Negomo may have been made to think, what Zanu-PF has coaxed him to do is a clear manifestation of the disrespect and disdain that they have on his person and his office.
“The incompetent handlers have failed to advise the chief as to the extent of his jurisdiction. They failed to advise him who his subjects are and who his superiors are in this country.”
MDC-T, the statement said, had no respect for traditional leaders who offer themselves as “willing and overzealous” stooges of political parties.
“Through his wanton and ill-advised behaviour, Chief Negomo has fallen foul of the clear provisions of the Global Political Agreement which provide that traditional leaders must be apolitical . . .,” said the statement.
The Prime Minister has confirmed that he married Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo last month.
Chief Negomo last week summoned the Karimatsenga family to his court and found it guilty of violating the customary rule, which stipulates that no traditional rituals should be performed in November.
The chief said if the PM failed to attend the court session he would pass a default judgment.
Legal experts have indicated that any person, regardless of his or her legal status, can be summoned by a traditional leader.
Chiefs are empowered by the Traditional Leaders Act of 1998 to promote and uphold cultural values among members of communities under their jurisdiction.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter