CHIEF Chivese of Chivhu on Saturday censured village heads
who are engaging in political activities, saying they risk being stripped of
their titles.
Addressing about 100 village heads in his area at Madamombe
Business Centre, Chief Chivese, born Thomas Makambe, said political alignment
and participation by traditional leaders was creating unnecessary conflicts.
“Do not wear political party regalia, say or act in a way
which signifies your political affiliation. If you (village head) align
yourself to any political party or individual players, it will compromise your
obligation to treat your subjects fairly as your political views may differ
from some of the people you lead. If you want to be a political player, you
should be formally stripped of your village head title because you can’t serve
the community as both,” he said.
Section 281(2)(a) of the Zimbabwean Constitution states
that traditional leaders must not be members of any political party or in any
way participate in partisan politics, while section 281(2)(c) states that
traditional leaders must not further the interests of any political party or
cause.
Speaking with NewsDay after the meeting, Chief Chivese said
it was necessary for him to constantly remind village heads of their key role
in communities because some of them engaged in partisan political activities
out of ignorance of the law.
“Village heads have a critical role in ensuring unity and
social harmony in their respective communities which consist of the lowest
social structures, hence should not be hindered by any other forces such as
political participation,” he said.
At the meeting, Chief Chivese urged village heads to report
to the police issues to do with child abuse to curb early marriages. Newsday
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