MARANGE-MUTARE - President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) Minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo, have been accused of imposing a party official, Gilbert Noah Marange, as chief in contravention of inheritance protocol. (Pictured: Caleb Marange - queries Chombos appointment of Chief)
Concerned family members told The Zimbabwean that former Zanu (PF) governor, Chris Mushowe, was behind the move.
A lot of dirty politics was at play regarding appointment of new chief Marange following the death of Chief Noah Chikuvadombo Marange in 2005. According to our tradition, when a chief passes on, his younger brother takes over. In this instance, the true candidates, Zvidzayi Dzova Marange, Pesi Muchisi Marange and Bernard Murwira Marange, were sidelined by Chombos office as they belong to MDC. Zanu (PF) appointed Gilbert despite his ineligibility as he is a nephew in the Marange family, said a family member, Caleb Zvoma Marange.
Caleb said since the official letter which authorized Gilbert to continue acting as Chief Marange for two more years from July 15, 2010, was signed by President Mugabe and originated from Minister Chombos office, the two top government and Zanu (PF) officials owed the Marange family an explanation regarding criteria used to appoint the nephew to the chieftainship.
Gilbert is a top Zanu (PF) official in the area and drives around a Zanu (PF) truck. His position in Zanu (PF) could have influenced the decision by Chombo to appoint him to the chieftainship, since Zanu (PF) wanted control over the traditional leadership for political reasons, he said.
The family simply wanted clarification from Zanu (PF) as to whether government had the mandate to appoint traditional leaders.
When Chief Noah Marange passed on, Local Government officials wrote a letter to the Marange family requesting them to appoint an heir. The family complied and communicated with Chombo in writing that they had nominated Zvidzayi.
Officials at Chombos office said that, according to their knowledge, families were entitled to nominate and appoint a traditional chief according to their culture and government should only swear in the candidate. They could not comment on the Mugabe-Chombo saga as they said the issue involved big names.
Post published in: News