Fidelis Munyoro Harare Bureau
CHIEF Chiweshe Mukorekore of Muzarabani has been suspended from the district’s Lands Committee on allegations of corruption and lobbying for the return of white farmers onto the land. The chief, born Mathew Chitemamuswe, last week appeared before the Mashonaland Central Provincial Lands Committee that gave him the marching orders.

He has since been replaced by Chief Kasekete.

Provincial Affairs Minister Advocate Martin Dinha, who chairs the PLC, confirmed the suspension of Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore last Thursday.

“We called the chief to the PLC and he openly sided and defended the white farmers,” said Minister Dinha.

“On Thursday last week, the PLC unanimously resolved that the conduct and behaviour of Chief Chiweshe needed action in the form of immediate suspension.”

Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore on Tuesday night said he heard about the suspension through the grapevine but was still to receive official communication from the relevant authorities. “I heard that but I don’t have official communication to that effect,” he said.

Minister Dinha said the decision came after his office received numerous complaints against Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore, including allegations of interfering with offer letter-holders on various farms in Muzarabani.

Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore was also accused of harassment and mafia-type behaviour.

He allegedly mobilised war veterans, women and youths in support of all remaining farmers in Centenary against attempts by the province of taking the land for distribution to landless Zimbabweans.

“We’ve documentary evidence of his active lobbying to higher offices in government to ensure that our people don’t get land. This is counter-revolutionary. The land reform programme is ongoing,” said Minister Dinha.

“We’ve land hungry youths and women who are clamouring every day to receive a share of Zimbabwe.”

Minister Dinha said the province had no vendetta or policy against white farmers per se and where deserving, they recommend white farmers to get offer letters or resettlement.

“PLC was alarmed that, for a chief who is a custodian of our land, its values and principles of the liberation struggle, to connive, align and regiment white farmers to defeat the land reform programme, some of whom constitute rabid ex-Rhodies and Selous Scout activists, is not only a betrayal of our revolution, but it poses a serious political and security threat to the province,” said Minister Dinha.

Minister Dinha said chiefs should desist from being corrupted by white people adding that they must confine themselves to governance in their community (as) provided for by the Constitution.

The Constitution does not allow chiefs to have jurisdiction over AI and A2 farmers.

Minister Dinha said the PLC is now seeking to censure Chief Chiweshe Muzezuru Negomo whose real name is Lusius Chitsinde.

Chief Negomo is accused of allegedly joining forces with Chief Chiweshe Mukorekore in the crusade to support the white farmers’ bid to repossess land.