The ManicaPost
Post Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has pledged to address traditional leaders’ welfare and remuneration. Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube, hailed chiefs for enduring Government’s delay to address their plight.He was addressing delegates at the stakeholders’ consultative workshop on the alignment of the Traditional Leaders Act to the Constitution held recently at a local hotel.
The Traditional Leaders Amendment Bill is set to be aligned to the constitution soon in a development that is set to empower and return full powers to traditional leaders as well as promoting cultural morals.
“I would like to thank chiefs for the endurance that you have so far exhibited in view of the delay by Government to attend to critical welfare-related matter. Of late, the payment of your monthly allowances has not been consistent, while the issue of your vehicles remains outstanding.
“May I assure you that my office has been constantly engaging with my counterpart in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development towards finding a lasting solution to these matters. The major challenge at the moment is that Treasury has been struggling to finance various Government obligations due to illegal sanctions imposed on the country. Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm Government’s commitment to addressing the issues,” he said.
Among other fundamental changes, the aligned bill seeks to give chiefs power to natural resources for the benefit of the people, including in the mining sector while chiefs would be mandated to be apolitical.
An Ethics committee will also be set to encourage uprightness and ensures the integrity of all chiefs in their discharge of their duties.
It would also ensure that all appointed chiefs are honest and morally upright.
National Chiefs Council president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, hailed the alignment of the legislation saying it was long due.
“It is very critical and it was long overdue. The alignment is very important. We are glad that some colonial elements that are against hunhu/ubuntu will be omitted. It will help enrich and retain our original identity as true Africans. This is a laudable development,” he said.
