Masvingo, Zimbabwe (News of The South) – The Nyajena Clan Council has voiced strong concerns over what they describe as a deeply corrupt and culturally disruptive process of installing chiefs and headmen in the Masvingo province. Speaking to News of The South, Chief Nyajena Last Dzivakwe expressed profound disappointment and alarm at the alleged interference by the Ministry of Local Government, accusing officials of imposing individuals with no ancestral ties to the area and disregarding established traditional protocols. Chairman of Nyajena council is Naison Masvora, the father to Chief Najena Pesanai Dzvivakwe Mashuro is angered by developments unfolding in Nyajena.
The controversy centers around the installation of Muchihwa as Chief on December 8th 2023. December 8th, is highlighted as a public holiday, further raising questions about the legitimacy of the process. Tragically, Muchihwa passed away on December 8th, 2024, a death the Nyajena council believes is a consequence of the alleged disrespect shown to ancestral spirits.
Adding to their grievances, the council points to the unusual installation of Muchihwa and another individual, Cover Mugwadi, as headmen. They claim that these individuals, purportedly from the Muchihwa people, were installed as headmen directly by the Harare office of the Ministry of Local Government, a practice traditionally overseen by the local Chief. Chief Nyajena stated, “A headman can’t be installed by the office. This shows a high level of corruption from within the offices of the Ministry of Local Government.”
Chief Nyajena, Last Dzivakwe
The council further alleges that they have no knowledge of Cover Mugwadi’s lineage or origin within the Nyajena territory. When they raised concerns, they were reportedly told that the Harare office holds authority over the Masvingo office, bypassing local traditional structures.
Chief Nyajena emphasized the cultural significance of their lineage, stating, “The Nyajena area cannot be ruled by vaera shumba [outsiders]. They will have disturbed our tradition, and this has serious consequences.” He revealed that the Nyajena council received a complaint from the Magudu people regarding the installation of another headman, Cover Mugwadi, on December 16th, the same disputed date as Muchihwa’s alleged second installation. They claim that one Mikiya Mangeza had already been dismissed from the position.
The council is particularly troubled by the alleged involvement of Councillor Mrs. Matakamure, a ZANU-PF councillor, in the affairs of the Nyajena clan. They claim she is receiving financial incentives from the Muchihwa people and is actively interfering in their traditional matters. Chief Nyajena asserted, “She is a government official causing problems in our community.”
Furthermore, the Nyajena council claims that Muchihwa invited Chief Bota to conduct rituals at the Tokwe-Mukosi dam without their consultation, despite their ancestors having already performed such ceremonies. They fear potential spiritual repercussions if these protocols are disregarded.
The council also highlighted the alleged political affiliations and activities of the Muchihwa people, claiming they donate to the ZANU-PF party and are associated with a man named Dube, a former District Development Coordinator who previously contested a mayoral position. They also allege that the Muchihwa people campaigned for the opposition in 2013 against former Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, making their recent association with ZANU-PF and alleged influence within government circles suspicious to the traditional leaders.
Chief Nyajena clarified that they do not believe President Mnangagwa is directly involved in this alleged corruption, attributing it to individuals within government offices. He lamented the situation, stating, “In Nyajena, we don’t want people to intervene with Nyajena Council, this is our cry to the government.”
The council also raised concerns about alleged interference in the spiritual affairs of a local mine by the Muchihwa family. They claim that after the family conducted rituals at the Renco Mine seeking gold, the mine’s production ceased, leading to unpaid salaries and hardship for the workers. They report that the mine’s leadership contacted them after these issues arose, indicating a belief in the potential consequences of disrupting traditional practices.
The Nyajena Clan Council is calling on the government to urgently investigate these alleged corrupt practices within the Ministry of Local Government and to respect the traditional authority of the Nyajena clan in the installation of their chiefs and headmen. They fear that the continued disregard for their customs will have severe spiritual and social consequences for their community.
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