The ManicaPost
Ngoni Dapira
GOVERNMENT remains committed to ensure the paramount rule of traditional leaders as the custodians of the land, treating them with due respect, a senior Government official has said.
The Minister of Rural Development and Preservation of National Cultural Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube said this today (Thursday) on the sidelines after visiting Chief Musikavanhu of Chipinge South at Mutare Provincial Hospital.
Minister Ncube was accompanied by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene and Senator Chief Chiduku.
Chief Musikavanhu was hospitalized on Tuesday after falling sick to a skin disease that is peeling off skin on his feet, which might result in amputation.
Minister Ncube said although there is a pending contentious issue of vehicles for Chiefs, Government remains committed to ensure traditional leaders are respected and well taken care of.
“We are aware about the vehicles outcry and as the newly created parent Ministry we are looking into it. We want to ensure all our traditional leaders have cars not bicycles, so that it tallies with their status. Even issue concerning the late payment of their allowances is also being addressed,” said the Minister.
He said President Mugabe after attaining independence in 1980, one of his first directives was to restore chieftainship to those that had been dethroned by the colonial Government.
Minister Ncube added that even all programmes that followed like the vehicle programme, electrification and housing programmes of Chiefs houses, all demonstrated how President Mugabe values traditional leadership.
The visit to see Chief Musikavanhu comes shortly after Chief Chikukwa passed away on Wednesday morning from diabetes.
