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Lawrence Chitumba Mash Central Correspondent
CHIEF Daster Chisunga, who was also a senator, who died in a traffic accident and was declared a liberation war hero was buried on Tuesday at his rural home in Angwa Village, Mbire District, with full military honours. Chief Chisunga was honoured for his sterling work in advancing the cause of the liberation struggle as he was very influential in wildlife conservation to the extend that he was once chosen to represent the country at a CITES meeting in Chile and the United States.

Addressing mourners at the burial which was attended by Government officials and chiefs from across the country, Zanu-PF representative Minister of State for Mashonaland Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha, said Chief Chisunga would be remembered as a humble leader and counsellor of many.

He said Chief Chisunga contributed immensely in the establishment of Mbire as a stand-alone district.
Mbire used to be under Guruve District.

“Before he became substantive chief in 2006, the late chief was very influential in wildlife conservation programmes and was chosen to represent Zimbabwe at CITES meeting in Chile and the United States of America,” he said.

“He also become one of the first black chairpersons in the Shange Conservancy, which included lodges and conference facilities.
“The late chief contributed immensely in the establishment of Mbire from Guruve District and today Mbire is the youngest district in the country.

“Together with the leadership of Mbire, he managed to also build positive relationship with our neighbouring province of Zambia, Luangwa Province.

“The relationship has enabled the two governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia to work towards the creation of a pontoon across the mighty Zambezi River, which if completed, will facilitate trade between the countries and in particular the two districts of Mbire and Luangwa.”

Minister Dinha added: “By the time of his death, frantic efforts to attract investors into Mbire were underway, with promises that Kanyemba would soon be a growth point.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe president Chief Fortune Charumbira rubbished assertions that chiefs had nothing to do with the political processes and described that kind of thinking as a fallacy.

Chief Charumbira said those elected to legislative positions work hand-in-hand with traditional leaders, hence it is the duty of the chiefs to make sure that the electorate chooses the right people.

“Some people are saying chiefs should take a back seat in politics, yet the people that are involved in the processes are under the chiefs,” he said.

“So, the assertion that chiefs have nothing to do with electoral processes is a fallacy because those who are elected to lead in their constituencies will govern with the chiefs.

“It is the role of the chiefs to make sure that the people choose the right people.
“Chiefs are the custodians of the land, customs and norms, so they are supreme in voter education and they should be observers of elections.”

Chief Charumbira said chiefs deserved vehicles that they are getting just as Members of Parliament whose term of office is only five years.

He urged the electorate to vote peacefully and shun violence during the forthcoming harmonised elections.
Chief Charumbira took a swipe at youths who were being bought by beer to cause violence and warned that they would face the full wrath of law.