Brighton Chiseva
ZAKA – Substantive Chief Bota born Tafirenyika Bwazvo was finally installed after seven years, five years past the stipulated time of two years for an acting Chief.
Bwazvo was installed at a ceremony officiated by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo.
The last substantive Chief Bota (Chiyo Mugabe) died in 2016 and his son Peter Mugabe, who was reigning on his behalf since he was old, continued but was later removed after allegations of abuse of office.
Speaking during the installation ceremony, Minister Moyo said the chief was mandated to work with the councilors and Zanu PF local leadership to develop the area.
“We appreciate the development that each area has a ward councilor, so chiefs should work with councilors, Zanu PF leadership, his headmen and village heads. The headman should work with the ruling party and if you do, your area develops.
“The Chief works with District Coordinating Committee (DCC) and provincial chairpersons, and if he does that, his area develops so I have come to urge you to work with Zanu PF because I have seen you are from Zanu PF. I was told that all your subjects are Zanu PF,” said Moyo.
Tafirenyika, a 46 year-old staunch supporter of Zanu PF, is among the then youth who were allegedly notorious for causing a reign of terror in 2008.
Bota has two main houses namely Mutatavikwa and Chimbwembwe.
Mutatavikwa has two houses, Bwazvo and Nhenjana while Chimbwembwe has three namely Mawadze, Chipumo and Charuka.
The first recorded Chief was from Chimbwembwe’s Chipumho who reigned from 1937 to 1957 and Mawadze from the same house took over 1958 and acted until 1967.
The throne went to Bwazvo house and the Chief, Mujena, reigned until from 1967 and because of his age, he appointed his son Wilson to reign in his stead. Wilson was later appointed acting chief in 1971 following his father’s death until his own death in 1977.
Mawadze house took over in 1977 to 1980 and Chirikure Mawadze acted from 1980. The throne went back to Mutatavikwa under Chafa who reigned from 1984 to 1994 and his son Lazarus took over on acting basis.
Charuka house took over with Chiyo Mugabe as the reigning Chief in 1995 until his death in 2016.
