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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
Chieftaincy wrangles and internal disputes have seen Chief Marange cutting ties with three of his sons, whom he accuses of misrepresenting him and the family.

Chief Marange claims that his son, Nyasha, has influenced his siblings, Brian and Talent, against him and have been tarnishing his image by spreading lies about the him in the community and to Government.

In an interview with The Herald, Chief Marange said Nyasha could be angling to dethrone him and take over.

“Nyasha sought audience with the leader of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, Mutumwa Noah Taguta, where he said that I had said bad things about him and President Mnangagwa, as well as Mutare West Member of Parliament Cde Percy Muchimwe,” said Chief Marange.

“I have never said a word against the President and the zanu-pf MP and neither have I ever said anything bad about the leader of the church.

“I realise that my son is trying to manipulate people into believing that l am against Government.”

Chief Marange said Nyasha was now being saluted by some members of the community in his presence and being addressed as chief, thus buttressing his conviction that he was after the chieftaincy.

“These children do not respect me as their father and as the chief, and they have been sowing seeds of division within the family and community, so I feel they cannot represent me as the chief or my family in public and in private,” he said.

Chief Marange claimed his sons, who are not formally employed, could be involved in illegal activities.

He urged Government institutions, church leaders and community leaders to be wary of his sons and what they were saying.

Contacted for comment, Nyasha denied the allegations.

“My father is basing his decisions on hearsay, there is no truth to all the things he is accusing me of doing,” he said.

“I have never been saluted as chief and I have no intention of usurping my father’s chieftaincy.

“He is the chief and he is my father, and I respect him like that, but he has allowed people to come between us.

“I am not a fool that would try to remove my father from his seat.

“Our family is huge and in any polygamous family, there are bound to be divisions.

“My young brothers have never spoken a bad word against our father and the family, but because we are born of the same mother, they are now being painted with the same brush as me.”

Nyasha said although he was not formally employed, he works hard, doing odd jobs that pay for his lifestyle.

He said if Chief Marange was convinced that he was not fit to represent the family, he would respect that.

“I plan to approach my father to discuss this issue, but if he has decided to cut me out of his life, there is nothing l can do,” said Nyasha.

“I will respect his decision and will not argue.”