Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Michael Padera Chideme
14 November 2009
Harare — Chiefs cannot be separated from Zanu-PF because they spearheaded its formation through their agitation for the repossession of land, Vice President Mujuru has said.
Addressing the annual chiefs' conference here, VP Mujuru said Zanu-PF and chiefs were inseparable.
She said the party would continue pushing for improvement in the welfare of traditional leaders.
"You created Zanu-PF when you sent your children across borders to fight for land. You are allowed to demand the land," she said.
The conference is running under the theme "Traditional Leaders -- Custodians of Our Values and Partners in Development, Land Our Heritage". She said people must remain wary of groups trying to scuttle their emancipation and development.
"The MDC was not formed with your participation. It was a response to Chief Svosve who had led his people to repossess the land," she said. She said there was no way the MDC could respect the institution of traditional leaders because it was the chiefs who started the fight to regain the land.
VP Mujuru said before she joined the liberation struggle, she consulted a chief and a spirit medium for guidance and because of that she would always respect traditional leaders.
The inclusive Government, she said, was a marriage of convenience created to placate the restive population adding that it was a temporary measure that would soon fall away.
"When we got our Independence we went on a honeymoon and forgot to address key issues. This is how the MDC also got formed," she said.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo said Government would soon buy twin cab trucks for all the 271 chiefs and single cab trucks for all the sub-chiefs.
He said the matter was now with Finance Minister Tendai Biti who is expected to release funds for the purchases.
"He is resisting but we are fighting on your behalf," he said.
President of the Chief's Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, said they were not happy with the inclusive Government because it had relegated the people's welfare to the periphery.
"Since 1980 we have not had any problems with farming inputs. Why now when there is this inclusive Government?
"There should be a Government programme on inputs for communal farmers. We wonder if the inclusive Government is out to fight the people. Before this Government everything moved smoothly.
"Some in the inclusive Government do not recognise chiefs. They forget we are big and very important people. No political post is bigger than the chief. Whether you are in the Zanu-PF Central Committee, Politburo or MDC national executive you are not senior to a chief," he said.
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