adminTawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Traditional leaders in Chiredzi have refuted charges by some local opposition parties that they were forcing their subjects to support Zanu-PF saying the allegations were being peddled by unpopular parties facing defeat in the forthcoming harmonised elections.
The chiefs yesterday rubbished claims that they were pro-Zanu-PF saying political parties should stop soiling their reputation for cheap political gain.
Chief Tshovani Mr Felix Mundau said they were guided by the Traditional Leaders Act in their relationship with the sitting Government.
He said those who accused chiefs of being Zanu-PF because they received new cars from Government recently lacked respect for the traditional leaders.
“We are accused of supporting Zanu-PF time and again whenever we are approaching elections, but I want to make it clear that such allegations are made by political parties that are afraid of losing elections,” said Chief Tshovani.
“It is unfortunate that there are even some political parties that are saying we support Zanu-PF because of the cars that we recently received, but to be honest that is an insult to us because chiefs last received vehicles in 2004. Do those people think those vehicles are still on the road today?” he asked.
The chief said there was nothing wrong with chiefs working with the Government of the day.
“We abide by the dictates of the law and we have the Traditional Leaders Act, which compels us to work with whoever is the constitutionally-elected President of Zimbabwe at that time.
“In that regard we work with President Mnangagwa because he is the sitting President and Head of State,” said Chief Tshovani.
His counterpart, Chief Gudo (Mr Aaron Maramba), said it was mere propaganda that chiefs supported Zanu-PF.
“Politics is for politicians while the role of chiefs is to administer their areas of jurisdiction, we challenge anyone with evidence that chiefs are forcing their subjects to support certain political parties to come forward with the evidence,” said Chief Gudo.
“We are the link between our subjects and Government in areas like food security and developmental projects, we do not compel our subjects to side with any political party, but work with any constitutionally-elected President in providing solutions for problems faced by people in our jurisdictions,” he said.
Chief Gudo said the Constitution was very clear that every Zimbabwean had a right to support a political party of their choice.
He said political parties registered in the country were free to visit his area and sell their policies to the electorate.
“Every Zimbabwean has a right to vote for whoever they want without being manipulated. We don’t manipulate villagers to vote for specific political parties.
“At no time did I ever call a meeting or summoned my headmen to coerce people to submit to a political party, people are free to politically express themselves,’’ said Chief Gudo.
There have been reports that some chiefs in Chiredzi and other parts of the country were forcing their subjects to support Zanu-PF giving an unfair advantage to the ruling party ahead of other political parties.
Online Reporter