Zanu PF Politburo member and former army general Lieutenant
Engelbert Rugeje (Retired) has been appointed acting Chief Charamba of Bikita
following the death of his father.
He was appointed by virtue of being the eldest surviving
son of the late Chief Charamba, Mr Timothy Charamba. The late substantive Chief
Charamba died on July 16 last year. He was 97.
Lt-Gen Rugeje (Rtd) yesterday confirmed the new
development, adding that the move was in line with their Duma custom.
“It is not that I have been appointed substantive chief
because there are still many processes that have to be followed for one to be a
substantive chief that will culminate with the sealing of approval from the
President,’’ said Lt-Gen Rugeje (Rtd).
‘‘What happened was in line with the Duma traditions and
customs whereby after the death of a chief, there is a person who is appointed
to look after the late chief’s family and responsibilities (sarapavana).’’
Lt-Gen Rugeje (Rtd) said the Charamba family chose him by
virtue of being the eldest surviving son of the late chief.
‘‘The family sat down and agreed that as the eldest
surviving son I get the appointment, but it is not a final decision, as there
are many processes to follow,’’ he said.
The Charamba chieftainship belongs to people of the Duma
clan who dominate Bikita District. The Duma clan members in Bikita officially
fall under the paramount chieftainship of Mazungunye, a descendant of the great
ancestor of the Dumas.
Lt-Gen Rugeje (Rtd) is not the first retired army general
from Bikita to become chief.
Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze (Rtd), who also hails
from the same district, was a few years ago appointed Chief Mkanganwi and is
also part of the Duma clan. Herald
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