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Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau

The Mashonaland West Chiefs’ Assembly elected Chief Ngezi and Chief Chundu to represent the province in the Senate in elections conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission yesterday.

African Union and European Union observers witnessed the elections held at Cooksey Hall in Chinhoyi, which saw the two traditional leaders taking up the two slots reserved for chiefs from the province.

The election described by chiefs as transparent saw Chief Ngezi (Peter Pasipamire) of Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chief Chundu (Abel Bhasera) being elected as Senators.

ZEC Mashonaland West provincial elections manager Mr Austin Ndlovu declared the two chiefs as duly elected to the Senate after they emerged winners from a pool of 10 chiefs that were nominated.

“The said Abel Bhasera (Chief Chundu) and Peter Pasipamire (Chief Ngezi) are duly elected members of the Senate with effect from today August 1, 2018,” Mr Ndlovu declared.

He applauded the chiefs for ensuring a smooth process.

At least 24 out of 25 substantive chiefs from Mashonaland West province took part in the elections with only Chief Dendera failing to attend as he was not feeling well.

The elected traditional leaders replace Chiefs Dandawa and Negande who were elected in the 2013 harmonised elections.

Chief Ngezi thanked the chiefs who elected him saying he would work hard to ensure that the status of chiefs is improved.

“I would like to thank the chiefs in the province for the unity which saw them choosing me to represent them in the Senate. I will work hard to ensure that their welfare is improved,” he said.

Chief Chundu hailed the process that saw him being elected to the Senate.

“We will continue from where our predecessors left off so that the welfare of chiefs is improved,” he said.

Provincial administrator Mrs Cecilia Chitiyo thanked the chiefs for being exemplary in the conduct of the election.

She said traditional leaders in the province should speedily deal with boundary disputes and outstanding chieftainship wrangles.

“We want you to move with speed so that you address issues in your jurisdiction as chiefs including boundary disputes and ensure areas where substantive chiefs have not been identified, the process is finalised,” she said.

Chief Chanetsa said he was happy with the outcome as it was an expression of their will as chiefs from Mashonaland West province.

Meanwhile, the traditional leaders also elected Chief Ngezi as the chairperson of the provincial chiefs’ assembly which handles all issues relating to chiefs and the discharge of their duties.