adminAccording to witnesses, Headman Chirere (Mr Cleopas Nyoni) lost his badge as he ran for dear life after being assaulted by the villagers.
The incident occurred last Thursday.
Witnesses said Headman Chirere has since reported the assault to Chief Masunda.
“It was an embarrassing moment for the headman because traditionally headmen and chiefs are respected by their subjects.
“It was an embarrassing moment when the local traditional leader ran for dear life after the villagers mobbed him and started assaulting him,” said a witness.
Witnesses said the villagers were incensed when they realised that there were only two 50kg bags of seed maize they were supposed to share.
The witnesses said Headman Chirere who was overseeing the distribution of the Presidential seed failed to explain to hundreds of villagers who had gathered to receive their allocation why the area got so little to share.
“The villagers were also not happy with the fact that Chirere ward which falls under Zvishavane resettlement area did not receive other inputs that the district received under the Presidential Well Wishers Input Scheme such as fertiliser and cow peas. When they asked from the headman, he could not explain and the villagers then became violent and assaulted him,” said the witnesses.
The witnesses said during the commotion, Headman Chirere lost his badge as he fled from the violent villagers.
Headman Chirere confirmed the incident when contacted on Friday.
He said he has since reported the matter to Chief Masunda.
“Chief Masunda who is now handling the matter has advised me to go and report the matter to the police because I lost my badge as I was being assaulted.
“I will be going to Zvishavane to make a police report,” he said.
Headman Chirere, however, denied reports that the villagers were accusing him of failing to allocate “reasonable” quantities of the Presidential seed scheme to the area.
“The villagers are arguing that their area is part of resettlement areas and there are no chiefs or headmen under such areas. They did not want me to be the overseer during the seed maize distribution and this was when they became violent and assaulted me,” he said.
Chief Masunda could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was on voice mail.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter