Zimbabwe: Chief Charumbira Chieftainship Removal Looms Over CAB3 Stance

• Chief Charumbira faces potential removal from his chieftainship following his recent loss of a Senate seat.
• An anonymous source alleges his impending removal stems from insufficient public support for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).
• CAB3 significantly expands presidential powers, including judicial and Senate appointments, and extends the presidential term by two years.
• Former ZANU PF official Temba Mliswa is accused of orchestrating the recall of Charumbira and two other chiefs, allegedly offering financial incentives to other traditional leaders.
• Mliswa denies the allegations of influence or bribery, though he confirms meeting with chiefs at a restaurant.

Plans are already in place to strip Chief Charumbira of his title as the establishment is determined to finish him off by the end of this year.

Chief Charumbira, a prominent traditional leader in Zimbabwe, is reportedly facing the imminent threat of removal from his chieftainship, following his recent loss of a Senate seat. This development is attributed by an anonymous source to what is perceived as his "lukewarm support" for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3). The source, speaking to The Midweek Watch, suggested that Charumbira's failure to publicly endorse CAB3, a departure from his past vocal support for ZANU PF during the 2018 general elections, has put him at odds with the political establishment.

This current predicament echoes a previous legal challenge in 2018, when the Electoral Resource Centre initiated High Court proceedings against Chief Charumbira for openly advocating for ZANU PF. Despite a court order mandating a public retraction of his political statements, Chief Charumbira reportedly refused to comply. The current allegations suggest that the establishment views his recent actions regarding CAB3 as a significant political misstep, leading to the intensified efforts for his removal from traditional office.

At the heart of the controversy surrounding Chief Charumbira is Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, a legislative measure that significantly expands the powers of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This bill grants the President increased authority in the appointment of members to both the judiciary and the Senate. Furthermore, CAB3 includes a provision to extend the President's second term by an additional two years. The perceived lack of fervent public backing from Chief Charumbira for this pivotal legislation is cited as the primary catalyst for the current moves against his chieftainship. The political influence of Zimbabwe traditional leaders is often a contentious issue, and this situation underscores the potential repercussions for those perceived as not aligning with government initiatives.

Adding another layer to the unfolding situation are serious allegations leveled against former ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman, Temba Mliswa. He stands accused of orchestrating the recalls of Chief Charumbira, along with Chief Chitanga and Chief Nhema. According to the anonymous source, Mliswa allegedly mobilized over 40 Masvingo chiefs at The Village Restaurant in September, during the Dzimbabwe World Tourism Expo. During this gathering, he is said to have provided US$10,000 to each chief while they were having lunch, instructing them to vote for the recall of the three targeted chiefs at their earliest opportunity. The source further claimed that Mliswa threatened the chiefs with dethronement if they failed to follow his directives, asserting a close connection to the President.

When confronted with these accusations, Mliswa vehemently denied any involvement in influencing the recalls or distributing money. He stated, "Ndirimujibha wemadzimambo ose muZimbabwe, there is nothing sinister in having lunch with my chiefs. I didn’t give them anything." While confirming his presence at the lunch with the chiefs at The Village Restaurant, Mliswa maintained his innocence regarding the alleged bribery and manipulation. He further commented on Chief Charumbira's situation, asserting, "Chief Charumbira made his own bed, and he should sleep on it. I didn’t even attend the meeting that resulted in the recall, so I never influenced anyone to vote against the three chiefs."

The ongoing efforts to effect Chief Charumbira chieftainship removal Zimbabwe highlight the significant political pressures faced by traditional leaders within the country. The anonymous source indicates that following the stripping of his senatorship, the focus has now squarely shifted to his traditional title. "Plans are already in place to strip Chief Charumbira of his title as the establishment is determined to finish him off by the end of this year," the source claimed, underscoring the perceived resolve of the political apparatus. This scenario raises critical questions about the autonomy and security of traditional leadership positions, particularly when perceived political neutrality is compromised or when leaders are seen as not sufficiently supportive of government policies, such as CAB3. The case serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance traditional leaders must maintain between their cultural roles and the demands of the political landscape, often under the shadow of the Zimbabwe traditional leadership law.

Lawyers advising traditional leaders in Zimbabwe should be aware of the heightened political pressure and potential for removal based on perceived dissent, especially considering the expanded presidential powers under CAB3. This situation highlights the need to scrutinize the legal and constitutional grounds for such actions and to advise clients on maintaining political neutrality to avoid similar challenges.

Source: Original reporting via The Midweek Watch