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traditional sovereignty, Mashonaland Central Governor Martin Dinha has said.
He was addressing chiefs during the traditional leaders’ assembly in Bindura last Friday. The chiefs were drawn from the province’s eight districts to deliberate on issues affecting their communities. Governor Dinha said chiefs could not be separated from Zanu-PF because they spearheaded its formation through their agitation for the repossession of land.
“Chiefs and our party (Zanu-PF) similarly travelled a tortuous path since the time of the liberation struggle and continue to walk on the same path to the future and we also share the same vision, ideology and philosophy.
“Through the chiefs’ support and guidance, the party has been able to be in communion with the rural people, who constitute a majority of the country’s population,” he said. Chiefs, Governor Dinha said, should be given the opportunity to voice their concern when it comes to empowerment issues.
“To be empowered is everyone’s wish and we are saying when it comes to governance, everyone must not only voice an opinion, but must also be given the chance to make decisions.
“People on the ground like chiefs are also a critical component in local governance. As blacks we believe in collective work for the development of the country,” he said.
The traditional leaders urged Government to stamp its foot on corruption and remove unproductive farmers who benefited from the land reform programme.
Chief Negomo said the scourge of corruption had increased across all sectors of the economy.
“What is more disturbing is that corruption is rampant among senior politicians and security forces. We want Government to remove unproductive farmers from the land regardless of their status in society because they are letting the nation down. The land should be given to people who will productively use it to defeat detracting factors like sanctions,” he said.
Chief Madziva called for stern measures to stem illegal panning in his area.