Online Reporter
Daniel Chigunwe
Herald Correspondent
The people of Guruve District in Mashonaland Central Province have expressed their appreciation to President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for reviving the Chimbwerere Chieftaincy.
The Chimbwerere Chieftaincy was abolished by the colonial administration in 1963 after its leaders refused to pay homage to the then-native district commissioner, a Mr Leat.
Chief Director of the Department of Traditional Leadership Support Services, Mr Felix Alexander Chikowo, confirmed the resuscitation of the Chimbwerere Chieftaincy.
He said proper protocols were in place for the installation of the new chief.
“I confirm that the Chimbwerere Chieftaincy was resuscitated by President Mnangagwa, who, according to the constitution, has the mandate to restore chieftaincies abolished by the colonial administration,” he said.
“The legislation allows the President to reinstate those chieftaincies that were abolished, not those that became extinct due to conquest. We conducted archival research and found that (the) Chimbwerere Chieftaincy was abolished for resisting colonial rule, which justifies its revival.
“The next stage is for the Provincial Assembly of Chiefs in Mashonaland Central to select a candidate from the Chimbwerere clan, who will be submitted to the National Chiefs Council for installation.”
It is expected that the process would be completed this month.
Archival records indicate that the Chimbwerere Chieftaincy had existed for centuries, dating back to its founding Chief Nyamanhindi, in what is now Guruve.
Chief Nyamanhindi and his Chidziwo clan occupied the eastern part of the Shinje River.
Historically, the chieftaincy was established by Mutota, who left Nyamanhindi in charge of the area to prevent anyone from following him, hence the nickname Chidziwo Chamutota, from which their chidao/chidawo is derived.
During the early 1900s, all traditional leaders were required to register their chieftainships. At that time, Sumbu, Chief Chimbwerere, sent emissaries Katsiru and Bangira to collect the wachi (token) of recognition in Salisbury (now Harare).
However, the two returned out of fear it was a trap, recalling the fate of Chief Nyamhondoro and his aides, who were killed on a similar journey.
In 1963, the Chimbwerere dynasty was downgraded when Johannes Chido Mutuwa was unilaterally appointed Headman Chimbwerere by Mr Leatt, the district commissioner. Many clansmen were dissatisfied with this demotion, as they sought official recognition of their chieftaincy.
Mr Washington Chidziwo, spokesperson for the Chimbwerere clan, expressed gratitude for the Government’s decision to revive the chieftaincy.
“On behalf of the Chimbwerere clan, we thank President Mnangagwa and his Second Republic for resuscitating our chieftaincy.
“We began this process during the previous era, and for years, we have awaited this good news. There existed an administrative vacuum in the communities directly and symbolically under Chief Chimbwerere, which are rich in minerals like gold and chrome.
“We hope the chieftaincy will ensure that the exploitation of these resources benefits the community, in line with Vision 2030 and the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Mr Chidziwo.
In March 2023, President Mnangagwa said Government will continue resuscitating chieftainships abolished by the Rhodesian settler regime and in December that year, the Hwadalala Chieftaincy in Gwanda District was revived after being abolished over 70 years ago by the colonial regime.
In 2019, the Bere Chieftaincy in Mashava was resuscitated by the Second Republic after its abolishment nearly a century ago.
