Chiefs Ngungumbane, Ntabeni retain Senate seats

CHIEF Zama Nkwananzi Ngungumbane of Mberengwa and his counterpart Chief Milton Ntabeni of Zhombe have been re-elected to the senate in elections held in Gweru.

Chief Ngungumbane retained the seat unopposed, while Chief Ntabeni was contested by Chief Chireya of Gokwe. Chief Ntabeni garnered 26 votes to Chief Chireya’s 9.

In separate interviews after the elections, the traditional leaders hailed the election process, with most of them saying they chose the best candidates to represent them in the Senate.

“They have been representing us well in the previous term and many of us were of the idea that they should continue representing us,” said Chief Gambiza of Chiwundura.

“They will be representing us for the next five years and we will continue liaising with them on what we expect from Government as traditional leaders.”

Chief Gambiza commended Government for taking heed to traditional leaders’ concerns that saw them receiving vehicles. “We will continue to channel our concerns as chiefs through our representatives, but we are very happy that Government is working very well with us,” he said.

“We recently got vehicles and this has helped a lot in making our duties easier to do.”

Chief Njelele of Gokwe said he was happy with the elections.

“The elections were okay, we managed to choose our representatives and we are confident they will do a good job for us,” he said.

Chief Chireya conceded defeat and said he will try again next time.

“I lost, but I hope to contest again in the next election,” he said. “What I can say is that the Midlands province has chosen good representatives for us all.”