…says he will restore dignity of chiefs
Felix
Matasva
Matasva
MUTARE – MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has says he
is eager to resolve the governance crisis in Zimbabwe by increasing the
autonomy of chiefs so that they become real keepers of tradition values, not
political commissars of the ruling party.
is eager to resolve the governance crisis in Zimbabwe by increasing the
autonomy of chiefs so that they become real keepers of tradition values, not
political commissars of the ruling party.
Chamisa said this while speaking during Manicaland
end-of-the-year provincial rally which was held at Chisamba grounds in Sakubva
on Sunday, December 15, 2019.
end-of-the-year provincial rally which was held at Chisamba grounds in Sakubva
on Sunday, December 15, 2019.
He denounced government for its recent move to
dethrone Chief Ndiweni who has stood up against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s
excesses.
dethrone Chief Ndiweni who has stood up against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s
excesses.
Chamisa said at the moment, the country is under
authoritarian rule hence the need to address the governance crisis.
authoritarian rule hence the need to address the governance crisis.
“Our country needs a leader because as of now, we
have a ruler. Our country needs a shepherd but right now it is in the hands of
a hunter. Our country needs a father because right now, it is being governed by
murderers.
have a ruler. Our country needs a shepherd but right now it is in the hands of
a hunter. Our country needs a father because right now, it is being governed by
murderers.
“I am saying this because of what was done to
Chief Ndiweni. They are now involved in a turf war with traditional chiefs,”
said Chamisa.
Chief Ndiweni. They are now involved in a turf war with traditional chiefs,”
said Chamisa.
He vowed that should he get into power, he will make
sure that chiefs become stewards of Zimbabwe’s traditions.
sure that chiefs become stewards of Zimbabwe’s traditions.
“In a bid to resolve the governance crisis, we
will make sure chiefs are not victimised and they must not be commissars of
political parties. Chiefs must be keepers of our traditional values and
cultural norms in the country.
will make sure chiefs are not victimised and they must not be commissars of
political parties. Chiefs must be keepers of our traditional values and
cultural norms in the country.
“In our government, we will not tolerate chiefs
attending MDC or Zanu PF gatherings. If they come, they must use their capacity
to teach people our traditional and cultural values while giving solutions
pertaining where the nation is wrong,” said Chamisa.
attending MDC or Zanu PF gatherings. If they come, they must use their capacity
to teach people our traditional and cultural values while giving solutions
pertaining where the nation is wrong,” said Chamisa.
He said many
places that he toured, it emerged that many chiefs were deprived of their
chieftainships due to political influence hence in the new Zimbabwe he will
foster the return of chieftainships to rightful heirs.
places that he toured, it emerged that many chiefs were deprived of their
chieftainships due to political influence hence in the new Zimbabwe he will
foster the return of chieftainships to rightful heirs.
“I warned them about what they are doing to Chief
Ndiweni, that they cannot rig the chieftainships as it is passed down from
generation to generation.
Ndiweni, that they cannot rig the chieftainships as it is passed down from
generation to generation.
“In a number of places I have been touring, there
are many people who complained about being deprived of their chieftainships. I
assure you that in the new Zimbabwe yet to come, chieftainships will be brought
back to the rightful heirs,” said Chamisa.
are many people who complained about being deprived of their chieftainships. I
assure you that in the new Zimbabwe yet to come, chieftainships will be brought
back to the rightful heirs,” said Chamisa.
He urged the government not to act like Ian Smith who
used chiefs as puppets, saying chiefs belonged to the people not the
government.
used chiefs as puppets, saying chiefs belonged to the people not the
government.
“I told them to leave people’s Chief Ndiweni
alone because he belongs to the people not government. The culture of abusing
chiefs like what Ian Smith did must not continue in this era. If you take a
position without taking proper procedures, you must know that it will
backfire,” he said.
alone because he belongs to the people not government. The culture of abusing
chiefs like what Ian Smith did must not continue in this era. If you take a
position without taking proper procedures, you must know that it will
backfire,” he said.
