A Chimanimani villager has taken legal action against acting Chief Tendai Saurombe, accusing him of breaching the constitution after he allegedly called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa to be granted life presidency.
The lawsuit filed at the High Court by Pritchard Tafadzwa Paradzayi follows Chief Saurombe’s refusal to retract his controversial remarks made during a community event on drug abuse awareness in Biriiri.
Paradzayi, through the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), had earlier given the traditional leader a 10-day ultimatum to publicly withdraw and apologise for the partisan comments.
A formal letter dated September 5, 2025 was served at the chief’s homestead, demanding a full retraction of statements deemed unconstitutional.
In a video of the event, Chief Saurombe can be heard not only urging that Mnangagwa be made life leader but also chanting the ruling party slogan, Pamberi neZanu PF.
According to the letter seen by Standard People, the lawyers argued that the chief’s conduct amounted to a violation of Section 281 (2) of the constitution of Zimbabwe which expressly prohibits traditional leaders from acting in a partisan manner or furthering the interests of any political party.
“Our client contends that through your utterances, you acted in a partisan manner, furthered the interests of Zanu PF, and violated the fundamental rights and freedoms of the general citizenry of Zimbabwe,” reads part of the letter.
The ZLHR team cited a recent High Court judgment (Case No. HCH 3233/24) involving Chief Seke, Stanley Chimanikire, who was similarly ordered to retract partisan remarks and publish an apology after chanting political slogans.
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The court in that case ruled that such behaviour by a traditional leader was unconstitutional.
Sources told Standard People that both the National Council of Chiefs and Local Government, Public Works and National Housing minister Daniel Garwe, who are also cited as respondents in the case, have already been served with court papers.
“Yes, it is true that the acting chief is being sued for his reckless and illegal remarks which he has refused to withdraw,” said a source familiar with the court application.
“The chief himself is yet to be served with the papers but other respondents have already received them..
ZLHR spokesperson Kumbirai Mafunda confirmed that the lawyers were “finalising internal processes” before making further public comments.
Chief Saurombe’s remarks, made during what was supposed to be a non-political community event, have since drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists, legal experts, and opposition figures, who insist that traditional leaders must remain neutral and serve all citizens equally.
Prominent human rights lawyer Obey Shava described the chief’s comments as “plainly unconstitutional.”
Critics such as the Citizens Coalition for Change warned that politicising traditional institutions undermines democracy and fuels division in rural communities.
Zanu PF adopted a controversial resolution to initiate processes to ensure Mnangagwa’s term of office is extended from 2028 to 2030.
Justice minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is a strong Mnangagwa ally, is leading the process. Although traditional leaders are supposed to be apolitical, some associate with Zanu PF for material gains or to keep their positions.
