Gweru (New Ziana) –The Midlands chapter of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs has elected chiefs Ngungumbane of Mberengwa and Chireya of Gokwe to the Senate.
Chief Ngungumbane polled 17 votes while Chief Chireya garnered 9 votes during the elections, which were conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
Chiefs Gwesela and Ntabeni polled four and one vote respectively after they had also been nominated.
Speaking after the election, Chief Ngungumbane said he received the re-endorsement with humility after a process that was done in a peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner.
“I am humbled, joyed and moved by the support and confidence that the chiefs have shown in me.
“It is not that I am a fountain of knowledge or wisdom but there are better people in that college that could also do a better job, but the continuous support means chiefs are happy with the work that we have been doing.
“Although we could do much better, it is our fervent view together with Chief Chireya that as we move forward, we are servants of the assembly, and we would act as directed. We are not their bosses,” he said.
Chief Ngungumbane said they will be going to Parliament primarily to represent their views in the Senate and to hold government to account as well as make laws.
He said there are many duties and responsibilities that will come during their reign and it is their view that they execute them diligently, rightfully without showing any fear or favour.
On the harmonised election results that were beginning to trickle in, Chief Ngungumbane appealed for calm and unity.
“We could have divergent views in terms of who we want, but we are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of the soil that are bound by the principle of Ubuntu.
The electoral college for the election Chiefs was held in terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Law and the Traditional Leaders Act.
A total of 18 chiefs, including the chief’s council president and his automatically become Senate members alongside 62 other senators who include 2 special interest representatives.
New Ziana
