By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
FORMER Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) senior officer Joseph Muleya is set to be officially installed as Headman Tshinoni on Saturday.
The installation ceremony will be held at Old Nuli Village.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network, Beitbridge Rural District Council Chairperson Oscar Chiromo said Muleya, who was born on 8 February 1960, has a long history of service to both his community and the country.
Chiromo said Muleya attended Old Nuli Primary School from 1968 to 1976 before joining the liberation struggle in 1977, during which he received military training in Mozambique.
Following independence, Muleya returned to education and attended Chindunduma Secondary School, where he completed his O’ Levels in 1984.
In 1985, he joined the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, where he rose through the ranks and was promoted to Superintendent, a position he held from 2006 until his retirement in 2012.
According to Chiromo, Muleya also served as the Regional Security Officer for the entire Matabeleland region during his career.
The position of Headman Tshinoni became vacant following the death of the previous office holder, Mr Samuel Dube, in 2023.
Chiromo said Muleya was appointed acting headman approximately a year after Dube’s death and continued serving in that capacity until his formal appointment in June 2026.
He said a selection meeting was held in March, chaired by Chief Matibe, with officials from the District Development Coordinator’s (DDC) office and family members also in attendance.
“The selection meeting was done in March. Chief Matibe was chairing and the DDC’s office was also there together with family members,” Chiromo said.
He said Muleya’s appointment was supported by both his family and the wider community.
Chiromo said although traditional leadership positions are ordinarily passed from father to son, the Tshinoni headmanship had been passed from brother to brother in this case, with the family and community agreeing on Muleya’s appointment.
Chief Matibe, whose full name is Elish Mbedzi, will officially install Muleya as Headman Tshinoni, while District Development Coordinator Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu -Moyo is also expected to attend.
Chiromo said government officials, councillors, all sabhukus under Headman Tshinoni and neighbouring headmen have been invited to the ceremony.
“The family has prepared for his installation which will be held on Saturday the 29th of August,” Chiromo said.
The ceremony is expected to bring together traditional leaders, government representatives, community leaders and residents as Muleya formally assumes the traditional leadership responsibilities of Tshinoni.