Three chiefs in boundary dispute

George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
Two prominent traditional leaders in Masvingo Province — Chief Fortune Charumbira and Chief Zimuto — have been sucked in a fierce boundary dispute with the newly-restored Bere chiefdom.

The chiefs are arguing that the new chiefdom’s proposed boundaries encroach deeply into their areas of jurisdiction.

Government recently agreed to restore the Bere chieftainship of the Shumba Murambwi totem after its abolition by the Rhodesian settler regime in 1924.

Before its abolition, the Bere chiefdom covered parts of the province including Chivi, Mashava and Masvingo districts.

It was, however, restored this year following years of painstaking lobbying by members of the Bere family clan.

The stage is now set for the coronation and investiture of the first Chief Bere in post-independent Zimbabwe.

However, with the restoration of the Bere chiefdom, Chief Charumbira of the Shumba Sipambi totem will see his current area of jurisdiction drastically reduced and moved back to the Mushandike area in Masvingo West.

Chief Zimuto, real name, Mr Tione Gono of the Ngara totem will also see his area of jurisdiction pegged back with a new boundary set for the area around Summerton resettlement area in Masvingo North.

The two chiefs have since made an urgent High Court application contesting the new proposed boundaries of the Bere chiefdom.

This has delayed the process to select the new Chief Bere and his subsequent investiture.

Masvingo Provincial Chief’s Assembly chairman Chief Chitanga, Mr Felen Chauke confirmed the existence of the dispute.

“I can confirm that there is a boundary dispute pitting the two chiefs, who are contesting the proposed boundaries of the recently restored Bere chiefdom. The matter is before the courts so it is sub judice so my hands are tied and I cannot comment further,” he said.

“The selection of the new Chief Bere will be decided after the courts have made a determination. At the moment the process is at a standstill,” Chief Chitanga said.

Close sources, however, revealed that the restoration of the Bere chieftainship will reduce the size of the Charumbira and Zimuto chiefdoms.

These used to share the area now falling under the restored Bere chiefdom.

Government has restored several chieftainships that were abolished by the colonial regime to create farming and mining space for Rhodesian settlers.