via Zanu (PF) will abandon chiefs after Mugabe | The Zimbabwean 17 September 2014 by Brenna Matendere
Only President Robert Mugabe now has chiefs at heart and traditional leaders are fearful the party will abandon them once he leaves office, says Fortune Charumbira, leader of the chiefs’ council.
In the past, traditional leaders have been accused of helping Zanu (PF) manipulate people’s votes during election time by forcing villagers to vote for it and intimidating all those perceived to be sympathetic to any opposition parties.
The chiefs have also been accused of forcing villagers to attend Zanu (PF) rallies around election time and harassing all those spotted at opposition gatherings or putting on regalia for the MDC.
“Chombo (Local government minister) is our witness. The only person who now loves chiefs in Zanu (PF) is President Mugabe. In fact we are fearful of the future when he ceases to be the leader of this country. In the politburo there are people who actually hate us,” said Charumbira.
He said top party officials had levelled false accusations against chiefs in closed door meetings with Mugabe. “Now you hear those officials told Mugabe that so and so chief drives without a license, that there are chiefs troubling people in resettlement farms or that there is chief who knocked down a beast belonging to a villager and went away with the meat to distribute among others.
They are just telling the president everything negative about us,” he said. Charumbira also pointed out the reason why top Zanu (PF) officials had ditched chiefs is that they were now seized with the succession issue. “90 percent of the people who go to talk to Mugabe are now into succession games. But as chiefs we have chosen to be outside such matters and so we are now viewed as enemies,” he said.
When the chiefs endorsed the candidature of Grace Mugabe to be next leader of women in Zanu (PF) they were seen to be supportive of the Emmerson Mnangagwa faction and accused of violating the constitution, which says they should be apolitical. Charumbira flatly denied the allegations.
“We are not politicians and we never wish to be politicians. The media has been awash with reports that we had delved into politics when we endorsed the candidature of Amai Mugabe – but that is far from it. We only thought we should not go against leaders elected by the people,” he said.
COMMENTS
Bunch of old men with bones pierced through their noses what can they really contribute in today’s global economy?? These idiots think the internet is something you use to catch Kapenta.
Bullsh*t!!! This idiot Charumbira thinks Zimbabweans are stupid! His twitching ass is telling him the truth about the prevailing resentment by all Zimbabweans. Who needs a stupid patronised chief to poke his grey haired smelly nose into their personal affairs??? All the chiefs cum thieves have done is cut themselves from the people. When Mugabe does just go with him and he’ll look after you in hell!!!
“We only thought we should not go against leaders elected by the people,” so I hear other parties are having their congresses as well my question is Charumbira and his ‘chiefs’ going to visit them as well and pay their respects? Lets wait and see.
and Grace was not elected she might have been ‘nominated’ or just pushed down the throat of Zanu structures.
Our country needs to decide if it’s ruled by a government, or ruled by post-civilised uneducated drunks who think they rule the roost. And then we need a government that actually works.
Chiefs are bunch of Donkeys with no brains!Obviously more worried about their perks!No wonder the country is a mess!
Chiefs have seized to represent people. A local chief was campaigning for Zanupf last year.
Did they think in all honesty that Mugabe would live forever? Does anyone out there licking Bob’s nether regions think eternity resides there? But then again ZPF will need to replace chiefs with someone else to beat villagers into submission because without that they can’t win elections off their own steam
Ccharumbira needs a new car before Migabe leaves for hell. He is campaigning for those endorsing Disgrace to say dont Forget us. stinking ass of a recolonized thief…..you are meeting your match
Each and every country has its own traditions, rules, and regulations. It is only civilised and not people who claim to be civilised who accept and tolerated differences. What you are saying concerning chiefs in Zimbabwe is as good as saying the position of The Queen of England and Kings in certain Kingdoms should be abolished. Chieftainships are traditional to Zimbabwe and are supported by most Zimbabweans except those who see them as an impediment to quick entry into the political world. People should not just go with the wind!
At least the Queen of England is not a bootlicker to the ruling party in The UK. She is banned from entering politics. These chifes are entirely political and are never for theier own people rather grumble about when they will get a new car after they have coerced those around them whom to vote for and whom to beat up. Either change their ethics or be rid of them.
@the future, the debate is not about traditions far from it, the debate is about the fact that the Zimbabwean chiefs are partisan and as a result they have lost the respect of the people.
The chiefs should not side with any political party, they should be apolitical but the chiefs openly show support for Zanu PF as if they belong to that party’s party structures.
Also it is fact and documented that some chiefs have evicted people from their areas who were sympathetic to the opposition, that can’t be right either.
The Queen you compare with does not side with the Conservatives, the Liberals, Labour party or any other party in the UK for that matter. The same can be said of the monarchies in other countries like Japan, Thailand, the Netherlands, Denmark etc and therefore those traditions retain their respect.
It’s up to the Zimbabwean chiefs to show that they are community leaders and not agents of a political party and only then can they can regain respect. Nothing to do with tradition or culture.
Why are the Chief’s belittling themselves by tagging along as compliant Mujibas for a Senile Old Fart who has murdered so many innocent civilians in their own country – this Senile Old Fart murdered the Chiefs’ very subjects of the Chiefs?
the chiefs are ment to look after there people not jump on the gravy train for themselves as they have. Best to hang them in the bush were they belong with out there fancy free cars
The Chiefs? What are they? Is Zim a bunch of Plains Indians from the USA? How do you get to be a chief? Does a Merc come with that? If I tell a former typist she’s God’s wife will that do it? Do they wear incontinence pads? If I wear one will I be made a Chief? So few answers from the Chiefs of Zim – counting their coins. They’re COCs. Chiefs Of Chaos!
Chiefs my foot. Timadhara tunoita basa rekushungurudza vabereki vedu kumamisha. Muchaona zvatichakuita musi unofa kasekuru kenyu Matibili
Well, Fortune Charambira . . . you chiefs should not have been so keen to do the dirty work for Organised Crime in Zimbabwe (Zanu). Years ago you destroyed your own credibility. And please try and remember, The Bhobho only “loves” when you support him and his treasonous actions.
Self absorbed pond life clutching on forwhat they can get out of the country’s coffers. I am still to hear a chief make noise about clinics ,schools, roads etc for villagers . Instaed they screatch on about …
I want a car
I want a pay rise
I helped you win the elections
so pay ME.
SELFISH BRUTES
We dont want chief because they support a political party. They get favours from the current government and not looking after their people and our tradition. Our tradition has to be dynamic to meet the current needs of the people, its not about traditional dance. Churches have taken over most of the needs of the people and they are so many now. The Chiefs have no power over their areas so that is why even war veterans and youths end up doing what they please. Chiefs should uphold the values of human beings and promoting peace.