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relations between chiefs and  Zanu-PF officials fighting over the distribution of Presidential farming inputs.

Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira said there were problems in some parts of the country with Zanu-PF members undermining the authority of the chiefs in the distribution farming inputs.
President Mugabe launched the US$27 million Presidential Inputs Support Scheme in Harare recently to support some poor farmers in rural areas to boost food security at house hold level.

“On the vouchers for farming inputs, there are problems in some parts of the country,” said Chief Charumbira.
“There is fighting between chiefs and some Zanu-PF members in the districts. Some of the Zanu-PF members are trying to usurp the role of the chiefs in distributing the in puts.”
Chief Charumbira said this while presenting solidarity messages during at the Zanu-PF Annual People’s Conference.

Recently Chief Ephius Munodawafa in Masvingo province reportedly assaulted Zanu-PF Masvingo District Co-ordinating Committee chairman, Cde Trust Mugabe after a dispute over the distribution of Presidential inputs.
Chief Charumbira said there was need for chiefs to be accorded the opportunity to explain their position when Zanu- PF Politburo and Cabinet discussed issues that affected them.

“When you discuss issues that concern chiefs in Politburo and even Cabinet, please you should invite us.
“We are blamed for other people’s failure,” he said.
Chief Charumbira said the chiefs supported Zanu-PF because they pursued the same agenda of promoting the interests of the people.

He said most chiefs bore the brunt of the brutal Ian Smith regime during the liberation struggle.
To this end, he said, chiefs will never betray the revolutionary party and the traditional leaders’ support for Zanu-PF should not be a surprise.
He congratulated President Mugabe for continuing to win the mandate to lead the party and Government.

“Some people wanted to remove you President, but we want to congratulate you for defeating them.
“If you are a soccer team coach, how can your opponent set your team. Beware of the people, who want to divide you,” he said.
The party’s 10 provinces have endorsed President Mugabe to be the Zanu-PF presidential candidate in elections set for next year.

Chief Charumbira said that it was now time for the party to be united and told delegates that members should to stop playing the blame game.
“We should not be blamed for losses in elections. Please make sure that there are good relations between the chiefs and the candidates that finally win primary elections to represent the party.

“Some of them do want to work with us and we do not even understand their agenda,” he said.
Chief Charumbira lauded Mashonaland Central province saying it was the only province that continued to win elections resoundingly because of cordial leaderships between chiefs, the party and people.

He hailed Zanu-PF’s empowerment policies that he said had had far reaching consequences to the livelihood of the people.
He said President Mugabe’s policies were admired by many people and ruling parties in Africa that regarded him as the embodiment of economic empowerment for previously disadvantaged people.

“I received a request from some chiefs in South Africa who said they want to come and honour you President.
“They said they are thrilled by your courage of being the only fearless leader on the continent.

“They are saying all the political parties in the continent are going to follow your footsteps President.
“They are saying you should be called Mudavanhu VaMugabe,” he said.