By Ziyah News Reporter
Harare-President Mnangagwa has said the Government policy of giving the country’s traditional leaders a vehicle every five years is part of a grand plan to uphold the dignity of Chiefs.
He was speaking as he handed over 90 Isuzu KB Double Cab vehicles to Chiefs yesterday.
“This is part of my Administration’s grand plan to uphold the dignity of our Chiefs and Traditional Leaders, who are the historical custodians of our land and culture, as they carry out their duties. It is also in line with the Government policy which has seen us giving the Chiefs vehicles after every five years,” said the President.
While social media has been abuzz with some sections of the Zimbabwean population questioning the wisdom of giving those vehicles to the Chiefs especially when the country is grappling with other ‘pressing issues’ like the ElNino Induced Drought, President Mnangagwa reiterated that Chiefs are a crucial element in the achievement of the country’s economic targets.
“The policy is premised on the understanding that Chiefs’ functions contribute directly and indirectly towards the attainment of Vision 2030 which seeks to achieve an upper-middle income economy for our people. Further, the facility ensures that the Chiefs can carry out their critical duties more efficiently and effectively,” he added.
Besides the vehicles, the Government has put in a cocktail of measures to improve the welfare of Chiefs including a scheme that will enable all traditional leaders to access medical assistance through medical insurance as well as a Funeral Assistance package for our departed Chiefs, construction and maintenance of access roads to Chiefs homesteads, electrification of Chiefs homes, provision of water and sanitation facilities, as well as the tillage programme, among other services.
The traditional leaders have also been assisted by the Government to revive the Zunde Ramambo/Isiphala seNkosi that help the Chiefs to attend to the food needs of vulnerable people at grass root level.