By Staff Reporter
Headman Chibwe real name Asere Matambo, under Chief Murinye Masvingo District was recently removed from his position over gross misconduct and behavior unbecoming of a traditional leader.
The expulsion is contained in a letter to Matambo from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, dated June 24, 2024 where Matambo was advised to stop performing the duties of a headman.
“May you kindly be advised that the Ministry of Local Governance and Public Works has in terms of Section 10 Subsection 5(a) of the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17) removed you from the office of headman Chibwe with effect from 29 April 2024. Therefore you are advised to cease performing duties of a headman as stipulated under Section 10 of the Traditional Leaders Act (Chapter 29:17),” reads part of the letter.
According to the letter, the investigation team ascertained the validity of most of the offenses Matambo is being charged with, as he was being accused of masquerading as a chief as well as creating his own fiefdom shutting communities in the Chibwe jurisdiction from the rest of the chiefdom, among other offenses.
“Acts of misconduct of which Headman Chibwe has committed well over a decade ago including dishonesty by not reporting to the chief on matters of interest to the communities concerned, negligence as he has failed to assist chief to perform his duties as well as dereliction of duty by failing to fill vacancies of village head and insubordination in the sense that Headman Chibwe masquerades as a chief in his own right who does not take orders from Chief Murinye hence undermining his authority.
“Behaviour unbecoming of a traditional leader in that Headman Chibwe has literally shut the communities under Chibwe jurisdiction to the extent that he has carved up himself a personal fiefdom similar to a warlord tersely put. Headman Chibwe is very disrespectful and defiant to authorities in general” reads part of the letter.
Headman Chibwe was suspended on May 9, 2023 after Chief Murinye born, Ephias Munodawafa through the office of District Development Coordinator (DDC) laid charges of acts of misconduct against Matambo including unbecoming behaviour of a headman, cases of dishonesty by not reporting to the chief on matters of interests of the community concerned, negligence as he has failed to assist chief to perform his duties as well as dereliction of duty by failing to fill vacancies of village head and insubordination to perform lawful orders, while dabbling in politics.
The investigating team which consisted of Masvingo District Development Coordinator (DDC) Ray Hove, Roy Muchenje from P.A.O Head Offices, Masvingo Assistant DDC Kenneth Madziva ascertained the veracity of most of the offenses charged against headman Chibwe which he had committed for over a decade.
Contacted for comment DDC Hove could neither confirm nor deny the dismissal of Headman Chibwe as he said he was out of office and asked the reporter to engage his subordinates at the office.
Matambo denied all allegations leveled against him, stating that these were fabrications of Chief Murinye’s own imagination. He said the fabrications were political persecution since he had not broken any law.
“I did not violate any law and l know nothing about all these allegations, rather it was Chief Murinye’s own imagination and political persecution,” said Matambo.
On his part Chief Murinye said there was no political persecution but rather said Matambo was the one who refused to participate in community meetings or recognize Chief Murinye’s authority as a chief.
“If I imagined things then the commission of enquiry would not have found him guilty of the charges that l had pressed against him. The expelled headman would not subscribe to anything that l issued to him, even the meeting l would officially call with all village heads.
“He claimed to be the chief at any gatherings in the community and the duties of a headman is to assist the chief at functions. If you decide to go against the Traditional Leaders Act then what other choice do l have except to remove you and bring in somebody who knows the duties of a headman?” said Chief Murinye.
In a statement, Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) urgently appealed to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works and relevant authorizes to transparently provide a comprehensive account of Headman Chibwe’s dismissal, backed by specific evidence and verifiable facts.
“As COTRAD we call upon the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to provide a much detailed explanation for Headman Chibwe’s removal from performing his duties as a headman. Furthermore, the authority should uphold Section 69 of the Zimbabwe constitution which safeguards the right to a fair hearing for all individuals.
“The relevant authority should tackle the troubling issues of abuse of office and political victimization happening in the communities and they should emphasize the vital necessity of ensuring that traditional leaders are treated equitably and with dignity, free from the specter of retaliation or political exploitation,” reads part of the statement.
Following investigations, Matambo was found to have committed misconduct leading to his expulsion from the role he once held in the community.
“The removal from office of Headman follows an investigation which was carried out on 5-6 October 2023 into allegations of misconduct levelled against you. The investigation team’s report then recommended the removal of you from office of Headman Chibwe after it was ascertained beyond any reasonable doubt that you had indeed committed acts of gross misconduct,” read part of the letter.
