Minister says chiefs responsible for peace in jurisdictions

Midlands Correspondent
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, July Moyo, has urged traditional leaders to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevails in their respective areas ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Midlands, Cde Owen Ncube, at the installation ceremony of Chief Bvute in Mberengwa last week, Minister Moyo, said chiefs should take a leading role in preaching the gospel of peace in their areas to create a conducive environment for free and fair elections.

“You are all aware that we will soon be holding the 2018 harmonised elections on July 30. It is therefore imperative that chiefs and other traditional leaders supervise their respective community in order to create a conducive environment for our people to exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner,” he said.

Minister Moyo urged people to heed President Mnangagwa’s call for the county to conduct peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

“His Excellency, President of Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised that elections must be peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible. In that respect, all of us are implored to heed the clarion call by the President by safeguarding peace before, during and after elections,” he said.

Minister Moyo praised chiefs for their critical role in preserving cultural heritage.

“Chiefs play a critical role in facilitating development and safeguarding the cultural heritage in their respective areas. The chief is responsible for promoting and upholding cultural values among the community under his jurisdiction, presiding over customary and local courts. They also assist Government agencies in the area to perform their duties, they carry out all duties assigned by the
Government and provide a leading role in the preservation of natural resources,” he said.

Mr Andrew Bvute’s installation followed the death of the previous chief, Mr Nkatazo Siziba who died on September 4, 2015.