Abolish Chiefs’ Posts: Zvidzai

Zvidzai is calling for chiefs’ posts to be abolished in Zimbabwe.

 Zimbabwe traditional chiefs fall under Zvidzai’s Local Government and Urban Development Ministry.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo at the weekend Zvidzai said he was tired of receiving reports on daily basis of traditional chiefs who are harassing and punishing villagers who don’t support Zanu-PF.

He said nothing will stop the country from developing after traditional chiefs’ posts are abolished as countries like Tanzania have no chiefs but there is democracy and economic development.

“I am tired of getting reports of chiefs harassing villagers for not belonging to Zanu-PF. So my personal opinion is that traditional chiefs posts should be abolished in Zimbabwe, as that won’t affect the economic development of our  country.

Zvidzai also added that Zimbabwe’s two big cities (Harare and Bulawayo) operating without chiefs were also being administered properly.

Traditional leaders hold largely ceremonial powers but wield immense influence in rural areas where President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF draw most of their support. 

The MDC formations and human rights groups accuse chiefs of using their positions to intimidate their subjects to back Mugabe’s party.

 In the past most rural areas, especially in Midlands and Mashonaland provinces, villagers have been summoned to appear before the chiefs traditional courts for refusing to participate in Zanu-PF projects.