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President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday, 25 September distributed 90 off-road twin-cab vehicles to chiefs, despite millions of villagers facing hunger due to an El Niño-induced drought.
A recent report from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network reveals that rural families are skipping meals as a coping strategy amidst the severe drought, which is one of the worst Zimbabwe has experienced in decades.
In April, Mnangagwa sought to raise over US$2 billion to combat starvation, later increasing the request to US$3 billion.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Maruva Mercy Dinha confirmed that the government is looking for support to feed the hungry. 
However, the government decided to spend millions on cars for chiefs, with Mnangagwa handing over the second batch as replacement for 90 vehicles in Harare yesterday.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032795/ed-doles-out-off-road-vehicles-amid-biting-drought">NewsDay</a>, a brand new 4×4 Isuzu D-Max twin-cab off-road vehicle goes for around US$ 70,000 on the local market.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Mnangagwa pledged to consistently support and provide for the traditional leaders. He said:
<blockquote>
This is part of my administration’s grand plan to uphold the dignity of our chiefs and traditional leaders, who are the historical custodians of our land and culture, as they carry out their duties.
It is also in line with the government policy which has seen us giving the chiefs vehicles after every five years…
Further, my administration has directed government ministries and departments to provide other services and utilities that uplift the livelihoods and standing of traditional leaders in general.
These include the construction and maintenance of access roads to chiefs’ homesteads, electrification of chiefs’ homes, provision of water and sanitation facilities, as well as the tillage programmes, among other services.
</blockquote>
Earlier this month, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube confirmed that the government spent unbudgeted millions on purchasing vehicles for chiefs, leading to financial strain on their parent ministry.
Ncube defended this expenditure, saying the vehicles are essential for chiefs to effectively serve their constituents.
He argued that the Council of Chiefs faced excess expenditures due to the unplanned acquisition of 237 vehicles, along with increased allowances and costs associated with national events.
Social commentator Pardon Taodzera criticised the government for “rewarding” traditional leaders with vehicles, claiming they were compensated for supporting ZANU PF during last year’s elections.
He expressed disappointment that the government prioritises political spending while neglecting urgent issues like hunger and lack of medicine in hospitals.
Journalist and outspoken government critic Hopewell Chin’ono said that this was the fourth time Mnangagwa has dished out cars to chiefs since coming to power in 2017. Said Chin’ono:
<blockquote>
This is happening while hospitals lack water, medication, and equipment, all of Zimbabwe’s urban cities and towns have no clean drinking water, the country has the highest inflation rate in the world and unemployment stands at 95%.
</blockquote>
Critics argue that chiefs serve as the ruling ZANU PF party’s foot soldiers during national elections. With over 60% of the country’s population living in rural areas, traditional leaders are seen as vital in helping ZANU PF secure electoral victories.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

President Mnangagwa gave 90 cars to chiefs, costing millions of dollars, despite many people in Zimbabwe facing hunger. The government is looking for money to help feed the hungry. The Finance Minister said the cars are important for the chiefs to help their people. Some people are unhappy about this spending, saying it is a reward for supporting the ruling party. They believe the government should focus on more urgent issues like hunger and hospitals lacking medicine. This is not the first time Mnangagwa has given cars to chiefs. Critics say traditional leaders are important for elections in Zimbabwe.

Mnangagwa Hands Over 90 Vehicles To Chiefs

Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube disclosed that the government spent millions of unbudgeted dollars on twin-cab vehicles for traditional chiefs earlier this year.
Ncube revealed this in Parliament on Wednesday, following a request from Clemence Chiduwa, chairperson of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Portfolio Committee, for a detailed explanation of unauthorised expenditures by various ministries.
In defence of the unbudgeted expenditure, Ncube said that these vehicles are essential tools for chiefs to effectively attend to their constituents. He said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200032218/chiefs-cars-govt-blows-unbudgeted-us16m">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
It must say it should be noted that the Council of Chiefs incurred excess expenditures on its vote due, in part, to the unbudgeted procurement of 237 vehicles for chiefs as well as review of allowances and other related national events.
However, the vehicles were the bulk of this expenditure. These are tools of trade.
</blockquote>
A brand new 4×4 Isuzu twin-cab vehicle retails for approximately US$70,000 in the local market, bringing the total expenditure for all the vehicles to over US$17 million.
Chiefs and other traditional leaders play a significant role in ZANU PF’s election campaigns, often engaging in the coercion of villagers and manipulation of food aid distribution.
In the lead-up to the August 2023 elections, traditional leaders allegedly collaborated with the ZANU PF-affiliated Forever Associates Zimbabwe to intimidate villagers and advance the ruling party’s agenda.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The government spent lots of money on cars for chiefs without planning for it. They bought 237 vehicles for chiefs, costing over US$16 million. The Finance Minister said the cars are needed for chiefs to do their job well. Each car costs around US$70,000. Chiefs help the ruling party in elections by influencing people and giving out food. Some chiefs work with a group to scare people into supporting the government.

Government Spends Unbudgeted US$16 Million On Chiefs' Cars

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday morning handed over 100 vehicles to “deserving” chiefs, with more vehicles, including those for newly appointed chiefs, reported to be on the way.
The handover ceremony was held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), this Thursday, 29 February.
Posting on X, George Charamba, who is the Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet (Presidential Communications), said deserving chiefs received vehicles today.
He however did not elaborate on the criteria used to determine the traditional leaders who deserved to receive new cars. Said Charamba:
<blockquote>
In his address, His Excellency exhorted chiefs to unite their subjects and preach peace, reminding them Zimbabwe is a unitary state, with no room for divisions that inspire threats to the integrity of the country.
He addressed the issue of hunger in the country, adding Government is putting in place mechanisms for immediate intervention to distribute food the needy families across the country.
The Chiefs, through the President of the Chiefs’ Council, Chief Mtshana Khumalo, appreciated the support extended to all chiefs, including stipends, infrastructures, health insurance and many other social interventions which have raised the welfare threshold of chiefs.
</blockquote>
The ZANU PF-led government prioritises traditional leaders in distributing national resources as they mobilise rural people to vote for the ruling party during elections.
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHfLnq8WQAE87D3?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>
This is another case of misplaced priorities on the part of the government as some police stations don’t have vehicles and at times police officers are reportedly offered transport by suspects, while some hospitals also don’t have a single working ambulance.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Dishes Out 100 Brand-new Vehicles To Chiefs

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa on Wednesday said there was a need for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women including in the traditional leadership structures where men dominate.
Addressing traditional leaders in Harare during a meeting that was held under the theme “Enhancing Justice Outcomes for women in traditional courts of Zimbabwe”, Mutsvangwa said women are entitled to equal rights and dignity as men.
She cited the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, a protocol that guarantees extensive rights to women, including the right to take part in the political processes, social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, among others. Said Mutsvangwa (<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200023745/mutsvangwa-calls-for-more-women-chiefs">via NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The protocol emphasises that women are entitled to equal rights and dignity as men, and are encouraged to uphold African cultural values that promote equality, dignity, justice and democracy.
Traditional courts can play a crucial role in addressing gender issues by providing a culturally sensitive and accessible forum for women to seek justice and work towards reversing harmful traditional practices that perpetuate gender inequalities.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa said having women in traditional leadership structures would promote a more gender-sensitive and inclusive justice system.
The President of the National Chiefs Council, Mtshana Khumalo said every traditional leadership structure in the country now includes women. He said:
<blockquote>
We now have women as village heads, as chiefs, as headmen, and as assessors.
They also enjoy those cultural chores equal to men, which was taboo before the enactment of the Constitution.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, traditional leaders have a crucial role to play owing to their authority and proximity to the people and their primary mandate to preserve customs and traditions derived from the Constitution.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mutsvangwa Calls For The Inclusion Of More Women In Traditional Leadership Structures

Traditional leaders in Zimbabwe have been accused by a leading human rights watchdog of being responsible for nearly half of the human rights violations occurring in rural areas. Civil society organizations (CSOs) have been closely monitoring human rights abuses across the country and are concerned that traditional leaders have shifted their focus from leading community development to actively involving themselves in partisan politics.
These allegations have emerged in the wake of reports that traditional leaders have been engaging in intimidation, abuse, and the politicisation of food aid distribution programs. According to Tapiwanashe Chiriga, an advocacy officer from Heal Zimbabwe Trust, traditional leaders accounted for 40% of all human rights violations in Zimbabwe this year alone. Chiriga told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021106/traditional-leaders-top-rights-abuse-list">NewsDay</a>:
<blockquote>
In the run-up to the 2023 elections, village heads were illegally appointed ZANU PF cell chairs and became the epicentre of a litany of human rights abuses including but not limited to intimidation, partisan deprivation of government aid, forced attendance and participation of their subjects at ZANU PF meetings, rallies and activities.
On election day, they marshalled their subjects to the polling stations forcing them to vote for the ruling party. 
The continued partisan conduct by these traditional leaders is largely a result of ignorance of the law and the few who know the law are afraid of losing their positions thanks to ZANU PF’s control of appointment processes. Some have been forced to support the ruling party because of the politics of patronage.
</blockquote>
Chiriga stressed the need for traditional leaders to adhere to their constitutional mandate and protect the rights of their communities.
Wilbert Mandinde, the acting director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, expressed concern over the increasing politicisation of traditional leaders, accusing them of aligning themselves with specific political parties and abusing their authority. Mandinde stated that some traditional leaders have overstepped their boundaries and engaged in issues of political violence, which is beyond their mandate.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) recently reported that traditional leaders engaged in voter intimidation by identifying and taking down the names of those who voted for opposition parties. These actions raise significant concerns about the impartiality and integrity of traditional leaders.
In a policy brief released in June 2022, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) noted that traditional leaders have been characterised as “willing enablers” of the ruling party, with allegations of their involvement in politically-motivated violence, electoral malpractices, and partisan distribution of food aid. ZimRights expressed concern that traditional leaders have become an extension of ZANU PF, eroding the institution’s local ownership and compromising its neutrality.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Watchdog: Traditional Leaders Responsible For Nearly Half Of Human Rights Violations In Rural Areas

Traditional leaders (chiefs) have requested the Government to give them diplomatic passports for ease of travel across borders.
The call was made by Chief Clemence Nembiri of Mt Darwin in Manicaland province during a question-and-answer session at a Civil Registry Department workshop held last Wednesday. He said:
<blockquote>
There is a need for chiefs to be given diplomatic passports. At the moment you find that these documents are even given to people whose leadership position is never guaranteed but is at the mercy of either the appointing authority or the people who vote.
Such people may be in power for just a few years yet they are quickly given diplomatic passports but a chief, whose title is neither by appointment nor through the ballot does not have that privilege.
We are harassed at the borders despite the fact that we lead the masses too.
</blockquote>
In response, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Major General (Rtd) Dr Gerald Gwinji said:
<blockquote>
As a Ministry, we do not determine who gets a diplomatic passport and who does not. That is done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
Ours is only to process upon communication from Foreign Affairs that so and so must be a recipient of a diplomatic passport.
However, I will engage and pass on the request and we will copy the president of the Chiefs Council as proof of that engagement.
</blockquote>
A diplomatic passport is a type of identity document that is only issued to certain individuals.
The holder can cross international borders while bypassing a lot of the typical travel regulations that regular passport holders must follow.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Traditional Leaders Ask For Diplomatic Passports

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has urged chiefs to uphold constitutionalism and stay away from politics.
Speaking during a pre-election workshop for political parties and other stakeholders held at a hotel in Bulawayo on Tuesday, ZHRC executive secretary Delis Mazambani said chiefs’ mandate is fostering development and resolving disputes among their subjects.
The <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200013892/stay-away-from-politics-chiefs-told">Southern Eye</a> reported that Mazambani reiterated that the country’s Constitution forbade traditional leaders from being members of a political party. Said Mazambani:
<blockquote>
Section 282 of the Constitution states that traditional leaders who include chiefs, village heads and headmen have several functions that include facilitating development and resolving disputes in their communities in accordance with customary law.
The Constitution bars traditional leaders from being members of any political party or participating in any way in partisan politics, acting in a partisan manner, or furthering the interests of any political party or cause.
</blockquote>
The Constitution states that chiefs must be apolitical, and “must not in any way participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person”.
In 2020, the Election Resource Center approached the High Court in a bid to see the president of the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council Fortune Charumbira punished for defying a court order that ordered him to issue an apology in 2017 after <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chief-charumbira-ordered-to-withdraw-statement-urging-chiefs-to-support-zanu-pf/">he was quoted urging all chiefs to rally behind ZANU PF in the elections that were going to take place the following year.</a>
Chief Charumbira refused to apologise prompting the ERC to approach the court again.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Human Rights Commission Tells Chiefs To Stay Away From Politics

Some ZANU PF candidates for the upcoming general elections in Midlands Province are reportedly now resorting to commandeering traditional leaders to force their subjects to attend meetings due to poor attendance caused by disputed primary elections held in March.
Reports indicate that ZANU PF members have been snubbing meetings protesting the manner the party held its primary elections.
Thousands of bonafide members failed to vote after their names went missing from the voters’ roll giving an unfair advantage to some candidates.
ZANU PF secretary for security Lovemore Matuke will be in Gweru on Tuesday for a crisis meeting to deal with the simmering tensions.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200011574/zanu-pf-bigwigs-sweat-over-poor-rally-attendances">NewsDay</a> reported that on Friday, only 17 people attended a meeting organised by Gokwe-Nembudziya parliamentary candidate Flora Buka that was addressed by provincial political commissar Maud Ngwenya.
The meeting was held at the Nembudziya Rural District Council offices (Gokwe North) to mobilise support for the forthcoming elections.
According to a WhatsApp message that was circulated on Sunday, Buka has now called another meeting this Monday at the same venue.
She ordered chiefs and to order village heads to bring their subjects to meeting. Reads the message:
<blockquote>
Mamuka sei nhasi, muudze masabhuku vauye nevanhu vavo vose kumusangano mangwana pa council pari kuuya national PC (good morning, can you tell the kraal heads to bring all their subjects for a meeting at the council offices which will be attended by the national PC).
</blockquote>
Buka beat sitting MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena twice in an election the latter claimed was rigged.
ZANU PF ordered that re-runs be conducted in only five constituencies yet the party had received complaints of voter malpractices from over 150 of the 210 constituencies across the country.
ZANU PF primaries were run by Forever Associate Zimbabwe (FAZ), controlled by the Central Intelligence Organisation and Heritage, which is linked to the army, according to a report by <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200011541/trouble-brewing-in-ed-backyard">The Standard</a>.
A ZANU PF internal document titled Talking Points dated 27 March 2023 revealed that FAZ, led by CIO deputy director-general Walter Tapfumaneyi had the major say in the elections.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZANU PF Candidate Orders Traditional Leaders To Bring Subjects To Meetings

Former Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Thursday revealed that traditional leaders agreed to gather their subjects to polling stations on voting day and ensure that they vote for ZANU PF.
Speaking at the official opening of the refurbished Mhondoro Hospital in Mubaira, Mashonaland West province, Mohadi said:
<blockquote>
In the meetings we have had with chiefs and headmen, they have assured us (ZANU PF) of a victory.
In fact, on voting day, the headman will marshal his subjects and ensure they have all voted before he votes last.
This we will do so that we take stock and make sure that what we taught each other is followed.
</blockquote>
During a meeting in Gokwe South District in August last year, Mohadi, who is ZANU PF’s second secretary, told chiefs, headmen, and village heads to actively support ZANU PF. Mohadi said at the time:
<blockquote>
Please we are asking you our chiefs, headmen and village heads to develop your organisation (ZANU PF). ZANU PF is your party, did you know that?
Know from today that ZANU PF is your party. We want to fight this war against the West-fronted opposition.
ZANU PF liberated this country. Did you know that this party is yours? We want you to increase the number of people to vote for ZANU PF.
Did you hear we want five million votes next year? We want them to vote for ZANU PF and through you, we know we will achieve that.
We want every village head to give us people we will check according to your register … If we are organised, we will rule until the donkeys have horns.
</blockquote>
Since Zimbabwe’s independence from colonial rule in 1980, ZANU PF has used traditional leaders as part of its campaign machinery in rural areas.
However, the Zimbabwe Constitution says traditional leaders should be apolitical. Chapter 15:2 of the Constitution states that:
<blockquote>
traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics, act in a partisan manner, further the interests of any political party or cause or violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Villagers To Be Gathered At Polling Stations And Vote ZANU PF, Says Mohadi

ZANU PF Second Secretary, Kembo Mohadi has reminded chiefs to use their influence to persuade their subjects to vote for the ruling party in the upcoming elections.
Mohadi openly campaigned for ZANU PF at Chief Maduna’s installation ceremony over the weekend in Filabusi.
Chief Maduna’s installation ceremony was attended by several chiefs, headmen and traditional leaders from other areas.
The former Vice President told the incoming chief that he has to work with the current government, which he even abbreviated as G.O.D.
He said tasked Chief Maduna with ensuring that his subjects vote for ZANU PF in upcoming elections so that the ruling party wins “resoundingly”. CITE quoted Mohadi as saying:
<blockquote>
Since you gave us the power to liberate the country, there is one thing we ask that you help us with. Please may you work with us.
Work with the government and work with the ruling party because this celebration of traditional leadership is done by the ruling party. If it was not for the ruling party, this would not have happened.
We ask you to advise your many followers to work with the government of the day. I usually abbreviate it to G.O.D -Government Of the Day.
The government of the day is ZANU PF and will always remain ZANU PF. We ask that you support us.
There should be peace, go out and vote well. But my request is when voting, go and vote for the political party that liberated this country and that party is ZANU PF.
ZANU PF is the one that is enabling all the development you are seeing, so please tell your followers that they must vote for ZANU PF. We want to win resoundingly.
When I came here I asked who the headmen are, as they are the ones who lead people. They are the ones who will make people go and vote for ZANU PF.
You traditional leaders are the ones who will make people go and vote for ZANU PF.
</blockquote>
The Constitution of Zimbabwe forbids traditional leaders from being members of any political party as this greatly compromises the discharge of their duties such as resolving disputes amongst people in their communities.
The Constitution clearly stipulates in Chapter 15 section 281 (2) that:
<blockquote>
Traditional leaders must not–(a) be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics; (b) act in a partisan manner; (c) further the interests of any political party or cause; or (d) violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Kembo Mohadi Orders Chiefs To Ensure Their Subjects Vote For ZANU PF

Chiefs and village heads (traditional leaders) will get at least US$550 each as part of COVID-19 allowances backdated to May 2022.
<a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/us-dollar-windfall-for-village-heads">The Sunday Mail</a> reported that there are about 26 000 village heads countrywide, who will get US$50 per month from May last year as part of the perks.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works’ communication and advocacy director Gabriel Masvora.
He said the payments have since been approved and will be distributed through the Salary Service Bureau (SSB). Said Masvora:
<blockquote>
The ministry has now approved that the village heads receive US$50 per month as the COVID-19 allowance, and it will be backdated to May last year.
Village heads approached the ministry and argued that they have been playing a major role in the fight against the pandemic, hence they deserved to receive the allowances.
The government also approved a medical aid facility with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) for traditional leaders.
</blockquote>
Masvora said the government will pay 80 percent of the cost, chiefs will contribute US$3, sub-chiefs US$2 and village heads US$1 per month towards the medical aid facility.
He said the amount will cover a maximum of five family members.
Section 281 (2) of the Constitution forbids traditional leaders from being members of any political party or in any way participating in partisan politics, acting in a partisan manner, furthering the interests of any political party or cause or violating the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.
In previous years, opposition political parties and civic organisations have accused ZANU PF of abusing the roles of traditional leaders by using them as political commissars to induce villagers to vote for the ruling party during elections.
The announcement of the US dollar windfall for COVID-19 which is no longer a threat a few months before general elections will most likely raise some eyebrows.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Traditional Leaders To Get US$550 COVID-19 Allowance Each

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday handed over new cars to 38 newly installed chiefs during an annual chiefs’ conference held in Bulawayo.
The conference is being held under the theme, “Cultural Foundation for Community Development”.
Mnangagwa promised the traditional leaders that his administration will improve their living conditions.
He also challenged the chiefs and headman to ensure they defend their land ahead of the general elections.
The President promised the traditional leaders that the government will construct access roads to their homesteads, and provide them with medical aid cover, clean water and solar energy. <a href="https://cite.org.zw/new-cars-medical-aid-solar-energy-for-chiefs/">CITE</a> quoted Mnangagwa as saying:
<blockquote>
Our voters are under you since you have come in numbers, I hope you have trust in me, if you had no trust in me you were not going to come in big numbers.
Since you have trust in the second republic, we have trust in you traditional leaders in that you have to defend our land.
You have to defend the identity and the respect of the African person.
</blockquote>
The rest of the country’s chiefs are set to receive their cars in batches.

Mnangagwa Hands Over Cars To 38 New Chiefs, Promises Medical Aid, Solar Energy

Human rights law expert, Siphosami Malunga, says chiefs alone cannot resolve the Gukurahundi issue due to its complexity.
This comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa entrusted chiefs with the responsibility of resolving the issue which has remained unresolved for over 30 years.
Malunga, who is a programmes director for the Open Society Africa (OSA) made the remarks while delivering a public lecture on Gukurahundi in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
The lecture, titled: “Whose Truth, Whose Justice?” was part of the ongoing Asakhe Film Festival organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE). Said Malunga:
<blockquote>
My initial criticism when the decision was made to ask the chiefs to deal with it was ‘what are they dealing with?’ ‘What are they being asked to deal with?’.
That was my question. ‘What are they being asked to address, what are they being asked to resolve?
Are we resolving the issue of people who quarrel, which chiefs do all the time in the village?
There are things that chiefs can’t resolve. Criminal cases, chiefs do not have jurisdiction over right?
A chief cannot resolve a murder. He has got no jurisdiction over it because there are laws that say certain things that happen must be processed in a particular way.
</blockquote>
Malunga expressed doubt in the traditional leaders’ capacity to resolve the Gukurahundi issue saying it’s very difficult to deal with atrocities. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/chiefs-alone-cannot-resolve-gukurahundi%ef%bf%bc/">CITE</a>

Chiefs Alone Have No Capacity To Resolve Gukurahundi - Malunga

Chiefs and traditional leaders in Matabeleland say young men from their areas who are based abroad (Injiva), mostly South Africa and Botswana, are largely to blame for unplanned pregnancies and early child marriages in their areas.
This came out during a meeting organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works alongside the United Nations for women working with chiefs and traditional leaders in Matabeleland to end violence against women and girls in rural areas.
Senator Chief Siansali of Binga said Injiva and Omalayitsha (cross-border transporters) take advantage of poor young girls in rural areas and use promises of cash and goodies to entice them into sexual relationships. He said:
<blockquote>
These Injiva are also our children. They grew up here. It is the duty of every parent to teach their South African-based children not to take advantage of their neighbours to abuse them sexually.
Most of these children fall pregnant during examination time. They camp at schools because walking on a daily basis to school tires them and makes them lose concentration.
If more schools that are nearer to homes could be built it would make everyone’s job easier.
</blockquote>
It has also been established that girls in rural areas mostly get unwanted pregnancies around December when South African-based Zimbabweans visit the country.
Meanwhile, the partners in the initiative urged chiefs to establish safe shelters for victims and standby funds in their villages to cater for victims of violence.
| <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/injiva-behind-unwanted-rural-pregnancies-chiefs/">Chronicle</a>

Chiefs Blame "Injiva" For Unplanned Rural Pregnancies

Former Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who is ZANU PF’s second secretary, on Sunday held a meeting with chiefs, headmen and village heads in Gokwe South District where he told them to actively support ZANU PF.
The event was attended by several ZANU PF legislators in Gokwe but Gokwe-Kana MP, Owen “Mudha” Ncube was absent and ZANU PF Midlands chairman Larry Mavhima arrived late.
Addressing the traditional leaders, Mohadi, who resigned last year after his alleged illicit sexual relationships with married subordinates were exposed, said:
<blockquote>
Please we are asking you our chiefs, headmen and village heads to develop your organisation (ZANU PF). ZANU PF is your party, did you know that?
Know it from today that ZANU PF is your party. We want to fight this war against the West-fronted opposition.
ZANU PF liberated this country. Did you know that this party is yours? We want you to increase the number of people to vote for ZANU PF.
Did you hear we want five million votes next year? We want them to vote for ZANU PF and through you, we know we will achieve that.
We want every village head to give us people we will check according to your register … If we are organised, we will rule until the donkeys have horns.
Some opposition said we had done a coup and that we are a military government, but we don’t care.
</blockquote>
The previous day, Mohadi had addressed chiefs, village heads and headmen in Gokwe North.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/vote-zanu-pf-mohadi-tells-chiefs/">NewsDay</a>

Mohadi Tells Traditional Leaders To Vote For ZANU PF

The Government says it will soon provide funeral and medical assistance to village heads as some of them cannot afford medical care.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Marian Chombo in Parliament on Wednesday while responding to questions on the welfare of village heads. She said:
<blockquote>
As a Ministry, with our department of traditional leadership, we have measures in place that make sure we assist traditional leaders.
However, I would want to point out that the type of assistance that we give mainly targets the chiefs.
Village heads are being given allowances and these allowances as of now do not include funeral assistance.
We envisage that very soon we should be in a position to assist as regards funeral and medical assistance.
Some of our village heads cannot access medical facilities because they do not have the resources.
</blockquote>
Chombo explained that traditional leadership had three tiers. The first tier is made up of chiefs selected by the community and appointed by the President.
The second tier is that of the headman, who is appointed by the chief and their name is submitted to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works who does the vetting. Added Chombo:
<blockquote>
Then the village head is appointed in most cases by the headman or the chief and we will just be given the names but we are not the ones who install these village heads.
The headman and the village head earn different salaries. We are trying at the moment that the village heads also get good perks, as the headman and the chief.
</blockquote>
Chombo also said the ministry was still waiting for legislation to come through Parliament so that chieftainships that were not resuscitated at the end of the liberation struggle can be revived.
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/village-heads-to-get-funeral-and-medical-assistance/">CITE</a></h4>

Govt To Provide Funeral And Medical Assistance For Village Heads

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo ahead of his meeting with chiefs set for Saturday.
He was welcomed by Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Bulawayo Judith Ncube, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe and State Security Minister Owen Ncube, Service Chiefs and senior civil servants.
According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Virginia Mabiza, Mnangagwa will receive recommendations on how to deal with issues related to Gukurahundi. She said:
The National Council of Chiefs has in the past two weeks been engaged in intensive stakeholder consultations with various groups from Matebeleland.
… This Meeting is a demonstration of His Excellency’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to matters affecting the Region and, in particular the Gukurahundi.
The meeting will be held at the State House, Bulawayo on Saturday 21 August 2021.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Mnangagwa, Matabeleland Chiefs Deliberate On Gukurahundi

Opposition to a clause in the Marriages Amendment Bill by traditional leaders in the Senate led by President of Chiefs Council Fortune Charumbira has hampered passage of the Bill in the Upper House of Parliament.
The Bill sailed through the National Assembly last year, but since then, it has been stalled in Senate after traditional leaders raised concern over a clause related to the payment of lobola (bride price).
Debate on the Bill had resumed in April this year, but there was no progress in finding common ground on Clause 16.
The contentiuos clause provides that payment of lobola could not be regarded as a barrier in solemnising marriage between two consenting adults if they satisfy other requirements of the law.
However, chiefs are having none of that, arguing that payment of bride price was a hallmark of marriage in customary unions.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi told the National Assembly on Wednesday that he was giving negotiations the last chance.
He said the government would apply provisions of the Constitution regarding what happens should there be disagreements between the National Assembly and Senate.
This was after legislators raised concern about the delay in finalising the Marriages Amendment Bill given that it sought to outlaw child marriages.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/lobola-law-splits-parliament-senate/">The Herald</a></h4>

Chiefs Block Passage Of Lobola Law In Senate

has created three new chieftainships in Chiredzi after upgrading some sub-chiefs in a move tailored to improve the administration of local governance issues in the area.
This follows a proclamation he made on 26 June 2021, upgrading three headmen from Chiredzi South, namely Chilonga, Gezani and Mpapa to the position of substantive chiefs.
The development was announced by Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Lovemore Chisema during the ceremonial burial of the late Chief Tshovani at Chizvirizvi Resettlement area in Chiredzi two weeks ago.
Speaking to Masvingo Mirror, Chisema said the three headmen were upgraded because they submitted their application to Local governance petitioning that they were once chiefs before the Colonial era so their chieftainship was resuscitated. Said Chisema:
<blockquote>
I am pleased to inform you that the President, Cde ED Mnangagwa has in terms of Section 3 (1) subsection 2(a) of Traditional Headman Act Chapter 29(12) approved the establishment of Chilonga, Gezani and Mupapa chieftainships with effect from 26 June 2021.
</blockquote>
Chiredzi had four chiefs before this latest development after Mnangagwa resuscitated the Neromwe chieftainship in 2018. Other chiefs are Sengwe, Tshovani and Gudo.
The elevation of the four headmen to chief will have financial constraints on the State purse as the new chiefs’ conditions of work include having vehicles and allowances.
ZANU PF has been accused of using chiefs as “vote banks” in national elections and this happens with just 24 months left to go to the next general elections in 2023.
<h4>More: <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/mnangagwa-raises-3-chiredzi-headmen-to-chiefs/">Masvingo Mirror</a></h4>

President Mnangagwa Creates Three New Chieftainships In Chiredzi

The National Chiefs Council inflated prices for four Isuzu twin-cab trucks, with each vehicle gobbling about US$125 000 against a market value of between US$38 000 and US$70 000.
According to Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s 2018 report, there was no paperwork to explain the excessive expenditure on the vehicles when the government had budgeted US$50 000 for each. The report said:
<blockquote>The exchange rate that was used was not specified. However, at the time of procuring the vehicles, the official exchange rate of ZWL to USD was one to one (US$1:ZWL$1).
Therefore, the vehicles were purchased for a total value of US$499 999 with each vehicle costing US$125 000 and the supplier’s invoice dated October 29, 2018, quoted in US$, showed the total of US$499 999.
The procurement was based on resolutions made on June 26, 2017, by the State Procurement Board (ref SPB/C/5) and an amount of US$50 500 was approved for each vehicle, giving a total of US$202 000 for the four 
vehicles.
The council, therefore, procured the vehicles at a cost that exceeded the authorised amount by US$297 000.
No documentation was availed as authority to acquire the vehicles at a price higher than originally approved.</blockquote>
The report also says market analysis revealed that the price for the same vehicles ranged from US$38 000 to US$70 000 as of January 19, 2021. In its response, the Council of Chiefs said:
<blockquote>The procuring unit was not fully operational and we used the running tender at CMED to urgently procure four vehicles for the outstanding chiefs who had been appointed.
All procurement is now done through the PMU [Procurement Management Unit]. Please note that the price on the tender is US$50 025 on June 22, 2017, but the quoted price per vehicle on October 29, 2018, was RTGS$125 000, so the two cannot be compared.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/06/chiefs-in-vehicle-purchase-scam/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Chiefs In Vehicle Purchase Scam

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday handed over brand new Isuzu double-cab trucks to traditional chiefs, after doing the same in the run-up to the 2018 elections.
Zimbabwe has 286 chiefs, and the new vehicles come as ZANU PF has roped in the traditional leaders to mobilise support ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, President Mnangagwa implored the Chiefs to put the cars to good use adding that government will fulfil its promise to upgrade the status quo of traditional leaders. He said:
<blockquote>We will stand by our pledge to ensure chiefs get access to electricity, water, good roads and vehicles every five years.
This I hope will enable you to execute your duties of uniting people, instilling and preserving our cultural values.
We want chiefs to exercise their duties by following up on those in rural area and towns who are troublesome and put them to order then I will rest assured of leading the united and peaceful nation.</blockquote>
This comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) faces an acute shortage of vehicles and hospitals across the country do not have enough ambulances.
Traditional leaders are supposed to play pivotal roles in communities as the custodians of cultural values, facilitating development and resolving disputes using traditional ways of conflict resolution but they have increasingly been abused by ZANU PF to commandeer their subjects to vote for the ruling party during elections.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/chiefs-receive-4th-batch-of-vehicles/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZBC News</a></h4>

Mnangagwa Hands Over Brand New Isuzu Double-cab Vehicle To Chiefs

Traditional leaders have been warned against engaging controversial traditional healers known as “tsikamutanda”.
Deputy president of the national chiefs council, Chief Zama Ngungumbane, issued the warning while speaking on the sidelines of a <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Midlands_Province" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Midlands</a> Traditional Leaders’ Day Commemorations at 5 Infantry Brigade recently. He said:
<blockquote>We have been receiving reports of chiefs who are allowing these tsikamutandas to fleece villagers of their cattle and other valuable possessions.
Let this be a warning to the traditional leaders against such practices. That should stop immediately.</blockquote>
Chiefs across the country have been engaging the Tsikamutandas over the years, forcing villagers to participate in cleansing ceremonies.
The Tsikamutandas are notorious for accusing villagers of being witches and wizards and at the same time demanding cattle to perform cleansing rituals at people’s homesteads.
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/chiefs-warned-against-engaging-tsikamutandas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h3>

Traditional Leaders Warned Against Engaging Tsikamutandas

The government recently issued a directive barring magistrates from summoning traditional leaders to courts over decisions made at traditional courts.
This was revealed by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on Wednesday while speaking at a meeting with chiefs from the Midlands province in Gweru. He said:
<blockquote>We have had chiefs complaining that they are being dragged to the Magistrates’ Courts after they have made their decisions at traditional courts.
I met with Chief (Fortune) Charumbira (president of the Chiefs Council) over the issue and after that I discussed the matter with President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa and there is now a directive that it should never happen again.
You are being looked down upon (by being summoned to the Magistrates’ Courts) and we don’t want that.</blockquote>
Mohadi said that it was disrespectful for chiefs to be summoned by magistrates because of judgements they would have made at their courts. He said the judgements should not be questioned.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/07/magistrates-should-stop-summoning-chiefs-mohadi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Magistrates Told Not To Summon Chiefs For Judgements Made At Traditional Courts

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was told by chiefs from Matabeleland and Midlands regions to urgently deal with the cost of living which has become unbearable.
The chiefs presented a document to President Mnangagwa in a meeting held at the Bulawayo State House last Friday. The chiefs said:
<blockquote>Your Excellency, the ever-rising prices of basic commodities is causing serious pain in our communities and needs urgent attention.
In fact, the cost of living is now totally unbearable, as the cost of all goods and services has skyrocketed beyond the means of our rural and urban communities.
The RTGS$ is increasingly becoming useless, creating uncertainty among both investors and consumers.
What makes the situation worse is that the rising cost of living comes at a time when levels of unemployment and lack of income are very high.
This means very few people can afford even the most minimal standard of living. The stability of the country going forward will depend very much on the government’s ability to deal with people’s lack of confidence in the RTGS$ and the skyrocketing prices of goods and services.</blockquote>
The traditional leaders also reminded President Mnangagwa that most workers are being paid insulting salaries and called on the government to intervene.
The chiefs further noted the drought experienced last season, that it will result in severe malnutrition on the part of children.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/07/chiefs-urge-ed-to-urgently-address-rising-cost-of-living/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newsday</a></h4>

Chiefs Implore President Mnangagwa To Urgently Deal With Economic Hardships

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on Thursday set to meet traditional leaders from Chimanimani and Chipinge districts which were the worst affected by Cyclone Idai.
During a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa revealed that President Mnangagwa will meet the chiefs at Chief Muteme’s homestead in Ngaone. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>His Excellency, the President Cde Mnangagwa, is scheduled to hold a meeting with the 12 chiefs from Chimanimani and Chipinge on May 2, 2019, at Chief Mutema’s homestead in Ngaone to deliberate on early recovery plans for the districts.
Invitations have been extended to corporate companies which adopted schools for rehabilitation in order for them to confirm their commitments and those which are still to come on board to do so at the event.</blockquote>
Minister Mutsvangwa further revealed that President Mnangagwa will in the near future visit Mozambique to thank the country for according decent burials for 150 Zimbabweans who were washed by floods. She said:
<blockquote>Arrangements are currently underway for His Excellency the President to visit Dombwe in Mozambique, where our people are buried to thank the Mozambicans for according dignity to our departed brothers and sisters.
His Excellency, the President shall on behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe commiserate with the people of Mozambique, who were worst affected by the Cyclone Idai disaster than ourselves through the provision of some relief assistance.</blockquote>
<h4>Related:</h4>
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<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/idai-president-to-meet-chimanimani-chiefs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Cyclone Idai: ED To Meet Chiefs From Chimanimani & Chipinge

Legislators are pushing for a law that requires chiefs to have at least basic legal training to enable them to have a better understanding of human rights issues.
This was revealed by MDC Alliance MP Job Sikhala at a Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZHLR) workshop with the portfolio committee on Legal and Parliament Affairs and the thematic committee on Human Rights on the Justice delivery system in Zimbabwe. Said Sikhala:
<blockquote>Chiefs are part of our justice system because they sit at the lowest level of our local courts.
It is therefore wise that every appointed chief should go for a six-month paralegal training so that when they are deciding over their cases they have a clear understanding of the human rights issues.
In Terms of the law in the local courts which are led by the chiefs and Headmen, lawyers are not allowed to appear in those courts hence it is important that chiefs are trained so as to avoid violation of Human rights.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="http://www.cite.org.zw/chiefs-to-undergo-paralegal-training/">CITE</a></h4>

MPs Call For Chiefs To Undergo Legal Training

Chiefs In Masvingo province have demanded free wifi installation at their homesteads so that they stay in touch with their people and are well informed. Chief Murinye encouraged the government to make sure that all the chiefs are technologically connected. The Chiefs tabled their demands during a meeting with Ezra Chadzimira the new minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo.
Said  Chief Murinye:
<blockquote>We need the internet because the bundles from service providers are very expensive. We cannot afford to buy the bundles hence we are kept in the dark over the developments in our areas. 
The government gave us cars so that we can be able to navigate across the whole chiefdom but in the 21st century, we need to also interact with our people online. 
The internet will not only benefit the chief but the entire chiefdom. Every person will be free to come and log in to the internet because we want to create a digitally connected people</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/138071669548383/photos/a.151729488182601/2094325577256306/?type=3&amp;__tn__=-R" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Radio Vop Zimbabwe</a>

Chiefs Demand Free Wifi Installation

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting held by the Election Resource Centre (ERC) Chief Serima, born Vengai Rushwaya, said that the Constitution was infringing on the rights of traditional chiefs. He bemoaned the fact that constitution expressly forbids traditional chiefs from engaging in partisan politics. Said Chief Serima,
<blockquote>Do you know that a chief is the only one forbidden from campaigning for their own choice of candidate in Zimbabwe when the rest are allowed under the Constitution? Is that not a violation of our rights as fellow Zimbabweans? 
…Where are my rights as a chief? Am I not a Zimbabwean like everyone else? That is where we clash. We are saying you are trampling on our rights. Allow me to campaign for whoever I want to vote for because it is my right as a Zimbabwean.</blockquote>
Chiefs have been criticised in the past for endorsing and sometimes campaigning for the ruling Zanu-PF party. They have come under fire after another chief criticised MDC-T president Nelson Chamisa saying that<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/02/28/will-not-allow-chamisa-rule-chiefs-vow-violation-constitution/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> he cannot lead the country because he is a “toddler.”</a>
More: <a href="http://www.newzimbabwe.com/chiefs-blast-constitution-for-blocking-them-from-partisan-politics/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New Zimbabwe</a>

Chief Says Constitution Is "Trampling" On His Rights To Campaign For Candidates Of His Choice

Joyce Kazembe who was standing in for the electoral body’s chairperson Priscilla Chigumba said they will soon be meeting with traditional leaders (chiefs) following complains coming from societies.
This comes after Chief Musarurwa (Enos Musakwa) said chiefs will not accept a President who did not go to war in clear violation of Chapter 15 Section 281(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Said Kazembe:
<blockquote>We are going to meet with the traditional leaders, we will engage them about the matter and complains coming from societies. We will engage them, they are part of our stakeholders but we had not yet met the traditional leaders so yes we will meet them.</blockquote>
Chiefs have also been accused of intimidating voters by demanding serial numbers of their voter registration slips.
More: <a href="https://openparly.co.zw/2018/03/01/zec-summons-misbehaving-chiefs/">OpenParly</a>

ZEC Summons Chiefs Following Anti-Chamisa Statements

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has defended his administration’s decision to hand over 226 cars to traditional chiefs. The president and his Zanu-PF party have been accused of vote buying by the opposition as the donation comes a few months before the 2018 harmonised elections. However, Mnangagwa defended himself saying that the chiefs were entitled to the vehicles as part of their service benefits. Mnangagwa also argued that the cars were bought under the administration of former president Robert Mugabe.
Said Mnangagwa on Facebook:
<blockquote>…chiefs are the leaders of our communities throughout the country. It is necessary for them to be able to move in their communities in which they provide guidance and leadership in terms of our traditions. For that reason, it is important that we facilitate that disbursement.</blockquote>
In an interview with Alec Russell of the Financial Times, Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>The chiefs are on the government payroll. One of their conditions of service is to give them motor vehicles. Whether there’s an election or there’s no election we’ll still give them the motor vehicles and their salary or allowance, whatever.
This was done by the former administration, except that they had not been given so I’ve gone ahead to give them. In fact, the later vehicles I’ve given have not been bought by this administration; they were bought by the former administration. It has nothing to do with vote-buying and so on; it’s a part of the conditions of service of those chiefs.</blockquote>
 
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/transcript-of-eds-interview-with-the-financial-times/">Interview Transcript</a>, <a href="https://263chat.com/amp/mnangagwa-clarifies-chiefs-cars/?__twitter_impression=true">263Chat</a>

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