-as farmers cry foul over forced contributions
MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-Chief Chikwanda will set a record if he gets all the cattle he demanded from farmers and villagers for his installation if a letter in the possession of The Midweek Watch is anything to go by.
The letter of demand for contributions towards Chief Chikwanda’s installation was signed by Headman Makamure’s secretary, Francis Ngoma on January 9, addressed to all farmers under Chief Chikwanda’s jurisdiction who are believed to be over 200.
“Subject: Delegation of powers in respect of new Mambo Chikwanda.
1.Be advised that all members you are to donate the contributions without failure before or on the 10th January 2026.
2.Donations are as follows:
a. 5 chicks
b. 1 cattle for beef
c. Meal-meal to feed” reads part of the letter to the farmers.
Ngoma confirmed to The Midweek Watch that he penned the letter and farmers are cooperating with some paying in cash or kind as directed.
“We are very happy with the cooperation from the farmers in preparation of the installation of our Chief this January.
“Those who do not cooperate, the Chief will decide what to do with them since ivhu riri ravo ndivo vachavona kuti vodii navo, but we don’t expect anything like that,” said Ngoma.
He added that it is the standard practice whenever a chief is being installed as all his subjects are expected to contribute.
The new Chief Chikwanda will installed on January 29 according to sources close the chieftainship.
When contacted for a comment regarding the demands for contributions, Masvingo District Development Coordinator Joyce Chikugu said that what was done by the headman or his secretary was unlawful as no one is compelled to pay towards the installation of the chief.
“That is unlawful and I have talked to Chief Chikwanda who said he is not aware of the letter, it was done by some people without his knowledge and those who have paid against their will should be refunded,” said Chikugu.
Chief Chikwanda elect born Silas Chikwanda told The Midweek Watch that he has no intention to force his subjects to help with his installation costs.
Headman Makamure acknowledged the letter but said it was erroneously written as it was not supposed to make it mandatory to donate rather it should be a voluntary.
“Thank you very much for bringing that to my attention, the letter was erroneously written and we will make the corrections,” said Headman Makamure.
However, most village heads who spoke to this publication said they were being coerced to pay $200 each towards the installation by their respective headmen and they are very bitter about it since they can’t afford that figure.
Lawyer Omen Mafa said what was done by the headman’s secretary was illegal as there is no law that compels villagers or farmers to contribute to the Chief’s installation.
“There is no such law in this land which compels farmers or anyone to donate towards such functions,” said Mafa.
One commentator from the Great Zimbabwe University said she was not shocked by such behaviour because the second republic has elevated traditional leaders to be untouchables and they can do what they want, anytime, anywhere as they feel that they are above the law, yet they should only be respected.
“There is a lot of abuse of power by the traditional leaders across the country, they are untouchables these days, and can flout the law at will, at one time a chief from Manicaland was quoted saying Mnangagwa should be President beyond his 2028 term limit which is against the law because chiefs must be apolitical, but he is walking scott free.
“Another senior chief was heard chanting a ZANU PF slogan in 2018 and was taken to court but refused to comply with the ruling because of his proximity to the ruling party. I am not surprised if a headman demands cattle form each farmer for a chief’s installation because of precedence.
“According to the Constitution traditional leaders should be respected, but not above the law,” she said on condition of anonymity because of her position at the higher learning institution.
