Staff Reporter
MARONDERA- Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe says all chieftainships that were dismantled during the colonial era will be restored and the right-ful candidates installed.
Garwe said this at Makumimavi Primary School in Chivhu where he officiated at the in-stallation of 46-year-old Venon Muringani as the 13th substantive Chief Maromo.
The Maromo chieftainship was resuscitated in 2014. Last week, Garwe also officiated at the installation ceremony of Jellas Rushwaya as substantive Chief Kareya and three more substantive Chiefs – Chihota, Neshangwe and Mudzimurema – will be installed in Mashonaland East before the end of this month.
The resuscitation of the Kareya chieftainship showed the Government’s commitment to restore ruling powers back to all chieftaincy that had been dismantled during the colonial period.
“We are installing Chief Maromo the 13th and the second after the resuscitation of the chieftainship. The Maromo chieftainship dates back to 1870 when it was founded by one Hainda in the area of the present day, Chikomba District. Maromo is believed to be a de-scendant of Muperekwa, who migrated from the Dzete area of Murehwa District three centuries ago.
“It is agreed that the Maromo Chieftainship rotates in three houses of Kutama, Manyuka and Tondowe. In 1951, the chieftainship was abolished after Chimhenga had refused to move with his people to the drier areas of Gokwe and that is when it was then down-graded to a headmanship under Chief Musarurwa, and Chimhenga became headman until his demise in 1954,” Garwe explained.
The Maromo Chieftainship was then resuscitated in 2014 and Augustine Mombeshora, being the eldest from the Chimhenga sub-house was selected substantive Chief Maro-mo the 12th on March 4, 2015, becoming the first to take the throne after resuscitation.
He passed on April 26, 2020 and his son Douglas Mombeshora became the acting Chief from July 12, 2021, until the lapse of his stipulated two-year acting period. Muringani was selected after wide consultations, leading to his appointment by Presi-dent Emmerson Mnangagwa last year.
Garwe urged people to respect the Chief, regardless of his age, adding that traditional leaders are chosen by God.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo highlighted that Chiefs must be champions of development in their communities. He thanked President Mnangagwa for restoring Chieftainships that were destroyed or dissolved during the colonial era.
In sentiments that were also echoed by the chairman of the Mashonaland East Provin-cial Chiefs Council Senator Nechombo, President of the National Chiefs Council, Sena-tor Mtshane Khumalo appealed to Chiefs to desist from working in isolation.
He said: “For there to be meaningful development and fair treatment of subjects, Chiefs must not work in isolation. They must work closely with parents, Government officials and everyone to develop to bring positive development to their areas of jurisdiction. Working closely, in good relationship with everyone is a key pillar towards develop-ment.”
Senator Nechombo added that as Chiefs from Mashonaland East, they will support him. “There are various programmes that we implement as Chiefs in this province and I urge you to work towards the continuation of preservation of culture in our communities,” he said.
