We’re aware of your plight, chiefs told

Melody Mashaire Herald Reporter
Government is committed to improving the welfare of traditional leaders including buying them cars and timeous payment of their allowances, a Government official said yesterday.

Addressing chiefs at the National Chiefs Council meeting in Harare, Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Heritage Minister, Abednico Ncube, said traditional leaders endured challenges arising from delayed payment of allowances.

He said Government was failing to solve their problems due to challenges that saw Government’s purse running dry.

“I am aware that the disbursement of your monthly allowances has been erratic and inconsistent in the recent past. I wish to apologise to all traditional leaders for having endured challenges arising from the delayed payment of allowances.

“Once the economic climate improves, the ministry will make necessary measures towards migrating to an efficient and effective payment system. The same applies to the outstanding purchase of vehicles, which is being affected by the constrained fiscal environment in the country,” he said.

He said Government was concerned about the contestations and disputes among chieftainships.

“Let me reiterate the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that only the most rightful candidates are nominated as guided by the respective customary principles applicable to the particular chieftainship or headmanship.

“The ministry will ensure that broad consultations are carried out during the selection process and that the Provincial Assembly and National Council of Chiefs will actively participate during the selection process,” he said.

Minister Ncube said it was illegal for any chief to move into any resettlement area prior to gazetting of his or her boundaries.

“I wish to underscore that it will be inappropriate and indeed illegal for any chief to unilaterally move into any resettlement area prior to gazetting of his or her boundaries as agreed. In terms of section 29 of the Traditional Leaders Act, the ministry is expected to complete in placing all resettlement land under the authority of traditional leaders across the country,” he said.

He said the Chiefs Council should play an active role in resolving chieftainship boundary disputes in resettlement areas.