BY STAFF REPORTER
A Chiredzi traditional leader has accused the army of meddling in a dispute over the Noremwe chieftainship amid claims that the government has anointed an undeserving candidate.
Chief Tshovani wrote a letter to Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda complaining about the alleged involvement of soldiers in preparations for a ceremony to install the new chief.
He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had ignored his letter of complaint against the planned installation of Clemence Madzingo as Chief Noremwe.
Chief Tshovani is challenging Madzingo’s appointment in court. He also accused the president of taking sides in the dispute.
“General sir, the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe is a lawyer by profession and has 24 advisors on his payroll, so for him to make such an illegal decision by consenting to a date for the installation of Mr Clemence Madzingo as Chief Noremwe on July 31 at Takunda Primary School, which is under my jurisdiction, while the matter is awaiting court finalisation, leaves his legal academic qualifications at stake and his mantra of a listening president. Given that I am Shangani and Clemence Madzingo is Karanga this gives an impression that the president is taking sides with his tribesmen.”
Chief Tshovani said the army must not take sides in the dispute.
“I am really shocked that all the preparations for this illegal installation in my area of jurisdiction is only being done by the military and Chiredzi district administrator Lovemore Chisema,” he wrote.
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“Why is the military taking an active role in favour of Mr Clemence Madzingo whilst the matter is still pending before Bulawayo High Court Case No HC 2964/17? He asked Sibanda to advise Mnangagwa to stop the installation of Madzingo.
“I, therefore, ask your honourable office to advise His Excellency to stop the illegal 31 July 2019 installation of Mr Clemence Madzingo as Chief Neromwe in my area of jurisdiction until the case before the Bulawayo High Court is finalised,” he added.
ZDF spokesperson Colonel Overson Mugwisi was not reachable for comment yesterday.
