Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MAKONI family is locked in a bitter wrangle over which house should assume the village headman-ship post, amid bickering and counter claims to the traditional role.
The Chitewere family of Nyamombe Village in Makoni District, appeared before Chief Makoni’s community court, with Jonathan bitterly opposed to the appointment of his cousin, Michael as the sabhuku, claiming that their family is not part of the dynasty.
Michael went through the necessary traditional rites to assume the post, and is awaiting confirmation from Government to assume his official duties.
However, Jonathan last week launched a last minute frantic bid to convince Chief Makoni that his cousin is not the right person to take over the reins.
He brought his blood brother, Nhamo, whom he claimed was the right person.
“The last substantive sabhuku fell ill and passed on. We informed the headman. During the burial, the headman advised us to find a locally based replacement. We selected the sabhuku as a family, notified the headman, and he began performing his duties.
“We were in the process of facilitating his papers and the acting headman’s tenure expired. When the substantive headman was appointed, our chosen sabhuku worked for about four years with him (the headman). We did everything that is required traditionally for Nhamo to be confirmed as the substantive sabhuku, but on the day when we were supposed to come with the headman and Nhamo to this court for final confirmation, Headman Nyamombe said it is no longer possible because Michael had raised a compliant,” said Jonathan.
In response, Michael gave a chronology of the family tree, claiming that his family has the sole entitlement to the sabhuku position, and argued that Jonathan’s family does not qualify.
He said he was supposed to be installed in 1978, but was out of the country.
“The Chitewere Village only belongs to one family, from our great ancestor, Madziwa, and no other family can lay claim to the position. My turn to take over the position was in 1978, but I could not as I was out of the country.
“In 2000, Uncle Raphael forcibly grabbed the post, claiming that he was entitled to the position because he was the eldest in the clan. Now it is my turn to take over, and also return the post to the rightful family. All my papers are with this court which cleared me, and I am waiting for Government confirmation to assume my official duties,” explained Michael.
The court asked the brothers to come up with their family trees, and also mention people from their side who once occupied the position before.
The court established that both Jonathan and Michael’s families have entitlement to the post, and declared that it was Michael’s time to take over.
“It is now prevalent these days for relatives to disown each other when it comes to traditional leadership positions. Based on the family trees produced here and narration from both parties, it is clear that the two families can lay claim to the post. The post should alternate between the two families. Michael is the incoming village head as he was cleared by the headman, chief’s court and Government,” ruled the court.
The position of sabhuku was established during colonialism by settlers and was later incorporated as part of the traditional leadership structures.
It is a vital and influential role in rural areas as the person becomes the link and entry point of Government agencies and development partners.
It is also a paid role.
