Shot in arm for chiefs

ZANU-PF candidate for Gokwe Mapfungautsi Cde Tawanda Karikoga (pictured) has constructed chiefs’ community courts for Chief Njelele and Chisina, a development that is aimed at restoring the dignity of traditional chiefs in the area.

This comes as churches in the area conducted a peace prayer to ensure the harmonised elections set for July 30 this year are held in a peaceful environment.

Minister of State for Midlands provincial Affairs Owen Ncube officially commissioned the chiefs community courts at a colourful ceremony that was attended by the provincial council of chiefs for Midlands Province led by Chief Ngungubane, senior Government officials and fellow traditional leaders, among other dignitaries.

Officially unveiling the two courts, Cde Ncube said the Zanu-PF Government valued traditional leaders hence the decision by Cde Karikoga to construct the community courts.

“The new dispensation led by President Mnangagwa is determined to restore the dignity of traditional leaders. The President together with his team who include Cde Karikoga would work tirelessly to ensure that the objective of restoring the dignity of traditional leaders is achieved,” said Cde Ncube.

Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Ngungubane paid to tribute to the Government and Cde Karikoga in particular for realising the importance of traditional leaders.

“As traditional leaders, we remain apolitical but we cannot avoid acknowledging the good works that have been done by the Zanu-PF Government to the institution of the chiefs such as buying cars for them to enhance mobility for them. Today we gather to celebrate the good work done by one of its son, Cde Karikoga,” said Chief Ngungubane.

Cde Karikoga said he was motivated to construct the chiefs court after realising that court sittings were sometimes disrupted by rains, wind among other unfavourable conditions.

“To start with, their courts were not in good shape. In some situations, they would conduct their sittings in their houses thereby disadvantaging family proceedings and in worse situations sittings would be disrupted altogether by rains.

“This had the effect of undermining their dignity. It is my hope that by this gesture alone, crimes would be reduced because there would be more respect for traditional leaders,” said Cde Karikoga.

In a related matter, churches in the area conducted a peace prayer so that elections would be conducted in a peaceful environment.

Addressing more than 20 church denominations, Chief Njelele urged candidates to campaign peacefully.

“I do not want blood in my area. We want peaceful elections,” he said.