By Rex Mphisa
FAMILY feuds are rocking the Chief Kwalu installation, Beitbridge District Development Coordinator Sikhangezile Mafu said this week.
After Government approved the revival of the chieftainship family members were now locked in a dispute as to who should assume the traditional leadership.
“We hope it will be tabled at the oncoming Provincial Chiefs Council meeting in Gwanda. We hope Chief Tshitaudze will be able to preside over the the council to arrive at the proper decision,” Mafu said.
She was giving a report on the affairs of the district to a Beitbridge Rural District Council full meeting which also unveiled Kilibone Mbedzi as the new chief executive of the country’s southernmost local authority.
History has it the Kwalu chieftainship was punitively removed during Zimbabwe’s liberation armed struggle when the sitting chief refused to have his subjects work on the then Government-run Shashi Irrigation Scheme.
He is said to have had reservations believing its productivity and success was undoing gains of the freedom fighters hence his defiance. In reaction tye settler Government dethroned him abolishing the chieftainship .
It is understood in the line of the royals, a mother of the man who was supposed to assume the throne discouraged him in fear of known chieftainship traditional reprisals amongst families that include witchcraft allegations.
“The chieftainship was then passed to the house of a second wife who had no sons resulting in the third wife’s son assuming the chieftainship. The original family now wants their throne,” a Beitbridge historian said.
Chieftainship in Zimbabwe and around the world has become popular as countries slowly find their roots.
Zimbabwean chiefs command respect and are gifted with all-terrain vehicles from Government which many people now covet.
In other announcements Mafu said Government is worried about illegal settlements at the proposed Beitbridge International Airport near Lutumba.
“When Government visited the site there were 47 homes that were listed. Now there 60 more homes and these new ones will not get compensation when the project begins. We visited the area with the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe. The local authority, kraalheads and Chief are expected to evict these people,” said Mafu.
She also spoke on the proposed rehabilitation of broken down Mutshilashokwe Bridge where stakeholders and beneficiaries are expected to pool resources for rebuilding the link bridge.
“Minister Nguluvhe advised that we ask various stakeholders pool resources and start repairs. We have farmers, mines and safari operators using the structure and we should coordinate the repairs,” said Mafu.
Other announcements made to the meeting was the opening of Social Services offices in at Chitulipasi and Zezani.
Mafu also advised that the rain season had started and farmers had to be advised of the development.