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Minister Chombo

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
A Gutu headman has taken Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo to court challenging his decision to split his area of jurisdiction and to appoint another headman in the same area.
Mr Jefureti Madondo, who is Headman Gadzingo, wants the High Court to suspend the installation of Mr Mangwiro Dambwara as Headman Chisvino in an area within his jurisdiction pending determination of a main court application by the same court.

Headman Gadzingo also wants the court to set aside the demarcation of new boundaries for the Chisvino headmanship within the Gadzingo area pending finalisation of the main court challenge.

In an urgent chamber application filed by Headman Gadzingo’s lawyer Mr Raymond Nembo of Sawyer and Mkhushi recently, the traditional leader argued that the decision made by the minister in his official capacity was in breach of the Traditional Leaders’ Act.

He argued that the whole process was illegal.
“The purported exercise of Chisvino headmanship duties in the Gadzingo area by the second respondent (Mr Dambwara), any purported installation of the second respondent to the post of Headman Chisvino and the demarcation of boundaries for the second respondent within the Gadzingo area is illegal, irregular and not in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Karanga people of the Gumbo totem of Gutu and the Traditional Leaders’ Act (Chapter 29:17) . . .”
Headman Gadzingo claimed that members of the Chisvino house were not descendants of Mabwazhe, the founding father of the Gutu Chieftainship.

According to the family tree found at the National Archives, the Chisvino family does not qualify to take up the headmanship post as they are mere advisors.
Headman Gadzingo further argues that Mr Amon Masanganise, who is the acting Chief Gutu does not have the power to recommend the appointment of a headman let alone creating new headmanships and demarcation of boundaries.

The decision, according to Headman Gadzingo, was causing confusion and anarchy in the area.
The matter is yet to be set down for a hearing.