HOME Affairs and Cultural Heritage deputy minister and Zanu PF Nyanga North legislator Chido Sanyatwe is under fire for introducing the recently dethroned Chief Katerere Alexio Chinongwa Nyamhute as a traditional leader.
Sanyatwe introduced Nyamhute in her constituency where she was officially opening a classroom block at Samanyika Primary School on Thursday last week, a few days after his dethronment by the High Court.
Sanyatwe, the wife of Zimbabwe National Army commander General Anselem Sanyatwe, has been accused of interfering in the appointment of Chief Katerere, as she allegedly want to have total control of Nyanga district.
Nyamhute was appointed Chief Katerere in 2023 following the death of the then substantive chief in 2017.
He took over from Clepaten Chifodya who was the acting Chief Katerere since 2018.
According to sources, which attended the meeting last week, Sanyatwe recognised Nyamhute as the substantive Chief Katerere in defiance of a High Court order.
“Sanyatwe recognised Alexio Chinongwa as Chief Katerere while she was officially opening a classroom block at Samanyika Primary School in Nyanga district.
“She has been interfering in the Katerere chieftainship wrangle as she want favours. She influenced high authorities to appoint Nyamhute without consulting the spirit mediums,” the sources said.
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However, speaking to NewsDay on Saturday, Sanyatwe denied the allegations, adding that she was recently briefed on the High Court case.
“I don’t interfere in the chieftainship wrangles, l was only briefed of the High Court case recently and l never recognised anyone as alleged,” she said.
“I did not interfere in the chieftainship wrangle but l was not aware the case was before the courts. At that event l never recognised anyone and if they are fighting they should do it like what we are doing in politics.
“In my constituency l have two chiefs that is Chief Saunyama and Katerere and why should I be involved in such fights.”
Mutare High Court judge Justice Isaac Muzenda declared Nyamhute’s appointment as unlawful and invalid.
The judge said the appointment violated the dynasty succession principles as it required the involvement of spirit mediums.
Nyamhute’s appointment was challenged by Pius Mupunwa, a village head under Chief Katerere and a member of Dembetembe royal family.
Mupunwa claimed that a fact-finding commission sent by government to the Katerere clan disregarded the sacred role of masvikiro (spirit mediums) in Hwesa or Katerere traditional culture.
He told the court that, according to the Hwesa culture, the spirit mediums are the ones who choose the chief.
In his ruling, Muzenda said the appointment of Chief Katerere should be set aside and a vacancy be declared by government.
“The appointment of Nyamhute as Chief Katerere be and is hereby set aside and a vacancy for the post of Chief Katerere be declared,” he said.
The judge called on government to convene a fresh meeting of the Provincial Chiefs’ Assembly to consider and make recommendations to it on the resolution of the dispute concerning the appointment of Chief Katerere,” he said.
Justice Muzenda said the recommendations should be submitted to the President so that the matter could be resolved.
