Harare — THE High Court has ordered Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo to reconsider the appointment of a headman for Goto Ward in Hwedza in accordance with the country's traditional leaders' law.

The ruling by Justice Anne-Mary Gowora follows a bruising legal wrangle between Mr Milton Goto and Mr Madzimbamuto Chikowore over the headmanship for Goto Ward in Hwedza. Mr Goto had contested Minister Chombo's decision to appoint Mr Chikowore to the disputed position, in a case he cited the minister and Mr Chikowore as respondents. In a ruling handed down on Wednesday, Justice Gowora nullified Minister Chombo's decision.

"The decision of the second respondent (Minister Chombo) to appoint first respondent (Mr Chikowore) as Headman Goto of Goto Ward in Hwedza District with effect from May 9, 2007 be and is hereby set aside," said Justice Gowora. Second respondent (Minister Chombo) be and is hereby ordered and directed to reconsider the appointment of a headman for Goto Ward in Hwedza in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Traditional Leaders' Act, Chapter 29/17."