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George Maponga  in Masvingo
Chief Chitanga (Mr Feleni Chauke) of Mwenezi and his counterpart Chief Nhema (Mr Rangarirai Bwawanda) of Zaka were yesterday unanimously elected chair and vice chair of the Masvingo provincial chiefs assembly respectively.

The two, who were elected unopposed by all 28 substantive chiefs in Masvingo province, who constitute the assembly, also made it to the Senate as they were elected unopposed to be members of the Upper House as chiefs’ council members from Masvingo. The polls, that saw the two traditional leaders landing seats in the Senate, were held at Masvingo chiefs’ hall and presided over by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission provincial chair Mr Zex Zirabada Pudurai.

Mr Pudurai declared Chiefs Chitanga and Nhema duly elected members of the Senate.

He hailed the flawless manner in which the polls were held. Chiefs Chitanga and Nhema were last month elected members of the national Council of Chiefs together with Chief Fortune Charumbira, who retained his position as Zimbabwe Chiefs Council president, Chief Chiwara of Gutu and Chief Mazungunye of Bikita.

Speaking after his re-election as chair of the Masvingo Provincial Chiefs Assembly, Chief Chitanga paid tribute to his colleagues for their continued faith in him.

Chief Chitanga pledged to work tirelessly to make sure all unresolved chieftainship wrangles were dealt with.

“I want to thank my colleagues for the faith they continue to show in my leadership, and my major task is to make sure all chieftainship disputes are resolved so that as traditional leaders, we focus on our role of fostering development in our areas of jurisdiction,” said Chief Chitanga.

His deputy, Chief Nhema said he was elated by the new assignment given to him saying his main goal was to unite all traditional leaders in the province for the good of the people.

Chief Nhema has a reputation of being a staunch fighter against abuse of children and persistent support for the rights of children. He earned acclaim for his incessant calls for child offenders to be severely punished.

Chief Charumbira said he was excited that the elections to choose the two Senators and Chiefs’ Assembly leaders were held in an atmosphere of peace and oneness.