Conflicted Chieftaincy in Goromonzi Endangers ZANU PF’s Domination in Parliament

The debate over the validity of Chief Chikwaka, also known as Murambiwa Witness Bungu, came perilously close to influencing ZANU PF’s performance in the entire Goromonzi area during the last general elections, villagers have alleged.

ZANU PF won 12,072 and 14,546 votes in Goromonzi West and Goromonzi North, respectively, in a hotly contested election. The primary opposition CCC, which received 10,692 and 10,881 votes in the same constituencies, was narrowly defeated by them. With 16,312 votes, CCC narrowly defeated ZANU PF’s 15,216 votes to win the seat in Goromonzi South.

Speaking to the media, the villagers claimed that the parliamentary elections of 2023 were influenced by the ongoing dispute and claims over Chief Chikwaka’s legitimacy.

A villager said, “The slim margins show how close we were to losing this district to the opposition. People dislike the way he is in power, and aside from his illegitimacy, he shows no signs of being a leader.

Local headmen also urged, “He (Bungu) should come and follow the protocol in line with our traditions regarding how a chief assumes that position,” during a recent assembly (dare).

Last year, in a letter written to the Local Government ministry in February 2022 through legal counsel from Matsikidze Attorneys, the people appealed for the removal of Chief Chikwaka, underlining the significance of settling the chieftainship dispute.

In addition to the legitimacy problem, Chief Chikwaka faced claims of extorting villagers, a situation which was before the courts. The villagers contended that these accusations point to a deeper problem and their chief’s lack of moral authority.

A letter written in December 2021 to Local Government Minister July Moyo expressed concerns from worried locals regarding Chief Chikwaka’s legitimacy.

They claimed, “It was also discovered through the elders and the spirit medium that the current chief is an illegitimate child and is, therefore, not the rightful heir to the Chikwaka chieftainship.

Cultural processes are of essential importance to the integrity of the Chikwaka chieftainship, maintaining the throne’s royalty so that it cannot be seized by force to rule over the Chikwaka people.”

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