The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter—
EMBATTLED traditionalist Chief Makoni (Cogan Gwasira) is facing 13 new counts of extortion allegedly committed between October and November.Gwasira, who of late has been hogging the limelight for the wrong reasons, allegedly committed the offences in resettlement areas in Mayo where he presides over a traditional court on Wednesdays at Mayo Growth Point.
Mayo is a resettlement area that is more aligned to Chief Chikore than Chief Makoni.
The Constitution, Rural District Councils Act, Chapter 29:13 and Traditional Leaders Act, Chapter 29:17 prohibit chiefs to practice and exercise authority over resettlement areas.
Chief Makoni presided over cases at his court in Rusape, but of late has set another court at Mayo Growth Point, which is more than 50km away from his legitimate traditional court.
One Bunjira was illegally installed as a headman manning the area.
An Ad-Hoc committee led by the assistant District Administrator, Mr Paste Tense Tarondwa, comprising of security chiefs and council officials, raided one of his court sessions at Mayo and officially withdrew Bunjira’s headmanship and warned people against appearing before him.
Officer Commanding Rusape District, Chief Superintendent Garikayi Gwangwawa, told The Manica Post that police were investigating Chief Makoni.
“We have summoned Chief Makoni and recorded a warned and cautioned statement from him. At first he was very adamant, but now he has an appreciation of what constitutes and does not constitute a crime,” said Chief Supt Gwangwawa.
“Chief Makoni is facing 13 (fresh) counts of extortion. The cases were reported between October and November 2016. He is said to have committed the offences in Mayo which is a resettlement area. The law is very clear that traditional leaders have no jurisdiction over resettlements and instead recognise that authority of the committee of seven,” said Chief Supt Gwangwawa.
Chief Supt Gwangwawa said the majority of the complainants were tried by Chief Makoni in absentia.
They refused to appear before him because at law he lacked legitimacy to practice in resettlement areas.
“He tried and convicted most of the complainants in absentia, and had their cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, fertilisers and sofas, among other valuables confiscated.
“In some cases where the judgement cites, say a cattle as a penalty, Chief Makoni’s messengers, in the event of failing to locate the cattle, would confiscate, say 10 goats, sheep and other valuables not cited on the judgement,” said Chief Supt Gwangwawa.
Chief Supt Gwangwawa said pending the amendment of the aforementioned legislations, people who live in resettlement areas do not appear before any traditional leader when summoned.
“When served with summons to appear before the chief, do not oblige, and tell them that they had no authority to do so at law,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Chief Makoni were fruitless as his mobile phone was continuously unreachable.
