…As Chingoma house claims chieftaincy belongs to their family
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Chief Neromwe born Clemence Madzingo who was nominated to be the new chief in 2017 followed by his subsequent installation in 2019 after government deemed it necessary to resuscitate the chieftainship seems to be facing an in-house resistance following another family claiming the chieftaincy.
The chieftaincy which became extinct in 1946 after their territory was declared a European territory seems to be facing an internal revolt after Chingoma family wrote to the national Chief’s council seeking the relocation of the chieftaincy from the Chanyururwa to Chingoma family.
In a letter dated July 28, 2022, Chingoma house argued that Chanyururwa family to which the current Chief belongs has no links to the Neromwes in terms of family lineage as they are of the Gumbo totem.
“We are calling for the relocation of the Neromwe chieftainship that was given to the Chanyururwa house on July 31, 2019, which was represented by Clemence Madzingo of the Gumbo totem.
“We are of Chingoma house and of the Ndoro totem, residing at Romwe mountain area, residence of the Ndoro totem people since the time Mambo Pfupajena gave this land to Neromwe who at that time was crowned chief of the area.
“We are the rightful owners of this land and chieftainship and we request the attention of the Chief’s council to consider our situation as we have much evidence on this issue,” wrote the Chingoma family.
Chief Neromwe did not respond to questions sent to him by this publication.
Neromwe chieftainship was abolished nearly ten decades ago after their area, which lies between Chiredzi River to the east, Mutirikwi and Runde Rivers to the south and west as well as Musiwidzi River to the north, was seized and declared a European area before government in 2015 decided to resuscitate it.
When the chieftainship was abolished in 1908, the Chanyururwa family were reigning and government decided to resuscitate it in 2015, with the selection done in 2017.
The Romwe clan reached a consensus that the chieftaincy be renewed in the same family, which now seems to have not gotten well with others, especially the Chingoma family which is now lobbying for relocation of the chieftaincy to their family.
Chieftainship families include the Chingoma, Kurera and Chanyururwa families.
The installation of Neromwe Chieftaincy was marred by resistance from the Tshovani people whose chieftainship was threatened as Neromwe was given four of Tshovani’s wards leaving behind only three.
Other local chiefs including Gudo joined Tshovani in the protest by boycotting the installation ceremony.
