Chiefs Council president, Chief Fortune Charumbira,
yesterday survived a planned ouster after he was voted by Masvingo traditional
leaders to contest at national level for another term.
Charumbira got 22 votes against Chief Serima, born Vengai
Rushwaya’s five.
For the senatorial posts, the incumbent, Chief Chitanga,
also won by 22 votes against Chief Nemauzhe’s five, while Chief Nhema won by 21
votes against Chief Murinye’s six.
For the chiefs’ council posts, Chief Chiwara won by 19
votes against Chief Musara’s eight, while Chief Mazungunye won by 21 votes
against Chief Ndanga, who got six.
But before voting started at Chiefs’ Hall in Masvingo City,
Chief Murinye, born Munodawafa Murinye, and Chief Serima had complained of
vote-buying and government interference.
“There has been interference in the election process by
government itself. Chiefs were selectively picked yesterday under the guidance
of a government minister and given instructions as to how the elections should
take place,” Chief Murinye claimed.
“The elections have been decided to an extent that the
whole process is a window dresser. There are no elections taking place. The
chiefs were given farming inputs. We are going to partake in the elections for
the sake of it, but under protest.”
Chief Serima weighed in, saying retired soldiers had
approached chiefs saying they were given instructions by President Emmerson
Mnangagwa on which candidates to vote for.
However, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Masvingo provincial
elections officer, Zex Zirabada Pudurai, who presided over the polls, said the
chiefs were barking up the wrong tree and they should have taken the
appropriate channels if they wanted to stop the elections.
Meanwhile, Mashonaland East Senator and traditional leader
Chief Musarurwa, real name Elias Masakwa, has declared his interest in
contesting the position of president of the national chief’s council, currently
held by Chief Charumbira.
Elections for the position will be held on July 18.
Speaking on the sidelines of the provincial elections held
at Mbuya Nehanda in Marondera, Chief Musarurwa, who won in the first round,
said it was time to choose a traditional leadership that is dignified.
“I am clear on my position. I am going to contest for the
top post. We are in a new dispensation and we need new leadership. (Chief)
Charumbira has a right to contest, but I am going to stand as well.
“This is the time to have a traditional leadership that is
dignified, not some pressure groups. We want to maintain dignity as well as
promoting diversified cultures in our country, hence the decision to stand for
the elections,” he said. Newsday
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