Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president Fortune Charumbira has urged traditional leaders to approach the council if they face any harassment or intimidation from political parties and activists so that appropriate action can be taken.
BY NUNURAI JENA
Chief Charumbira said this in apparent reference to reports of some headmen who were allegedly terrorised by Zanu PF youths in Hurungwe West ahead of the June 10 by-elections.
“Unfortunately we have not received a formal complaint to that effect. All we know is what we are hearing from the grapevine and read in newspapers. So I urge those who say they have been assaulted and harassed to report such cases to the organisation,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said there were structures in all the provinces to deal with such cases.
This comes on the backdrop of political violence that has erupted in Hurungwe West in recent weeks where six headmen were allegedly assaulted at a Zanu PF campaign rally recently.
Chief Charumbira is on record saying that traditional leaders have no apologies for supporting Zanu PF because the ruling party fought to bring back what had been taken away from them by colonial rulers.
Hurungwe West has been turned into a virtual war zone with Zanu PF supporters allegedly terrorising rivals and villagers as the June 10 by-election beckons. Independent candidate and axed former Zanu PF Mashonaland West Chairman, Temba Mliswa is fighting it out with the ruling party candidate, Keith Guzah for the vacant seat.
