Brighton Chiseva
BIKITA – Munyaradzi Warure, the grandson and appointed representative of the aged Chief Mukanganwi, has been suspended from his duties following multiple allegations of abusing the powers delegated to him.
The substantive chief, born Vengai Chapwanya is elderly and wheelchair-bound, leading him to grant his grandson full authority to preside over community matters and represent him at official functions. Munyaradzi was so active in the role that many in the area did not realize he was not the substantive chief himself.
Efforts to get a comment from Bikita District Development Coordinator (DDC) Bernard Hadzirabwi were futile as his cell went unanswered several times.
When contacted for comment by TellZim News, Warure declined to confirm or deny the suspension or allegations, stating he was in a meeting.
“No problem, I am in a meeting, get in touch tomorrow then we will talk,” he said.
However, a close family source confirmed the development, revealing that all houses with a claim to the Mukanganwi chieftainship were summoned by the DDC on Monday, January 5 where the news was delivered.
“We were summoned by the DDC yesterday and he advised us the chief had fired Munyaradzi Warure. He told us that he had appointed one of his sons but we don’t know who since procedures to appoint another one were yet to be followed.
We will be advised on the new chief before Friday as the DDC promised us,” said the family member.
The suspension follows serious allegations against Warure. Sources claim that after attending a chiefs’ conference in December 2025, where others received vehicles, he was given US$1,000 intended for the substantive chief but only passed on US$100, keeping the remainder.
He also allegedly clashed with clansmen after appointing an outsider as a headman in Duma, an area central to the Mukanganwi chieftaincy.
“He was at loggerheads with the Mukanganwi clansmen after he appointed an outsider, so it’s another reason why he was fired,” a source said.
Others pointed issues of corruption and accused him of dating married women using his power and influence.
He was also reported to have forced villagers under his jurisdiction to pay more than US$100 for the establishment of a clinic and a police base.
He was also once reported to have taken bribe from conflicting families over the appointment of a new village head.
The incident highlights a recurring issue within local traditional leadership. Similar situations exist in several chieftaincies where substantive chiefs, often very old and less active, choose family representatives frequently younger grandsons or nephews to act on their behalf.
The proxies vested with significant power, are sometimes prone to abuse it, causing conflict within the community.
Zero tolerance to corruption.