THE Chirumanzu chieftainship wrangle has taken an unexpected turn, with those opposed to the nomination of Abraham Nyamande for the Chirumanzu chieftaincy filing an urgent High Court application to stop his installation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Local Government minister Daniel Garwe, Midlands Provincial Chiefs Assembly and Nyamande are cited as respondents in the matter.
The applicants, John Marinda, Innocent Chapwanya, Albert Jonasi Zvidzai and Ecknos Happiness Mutyanda, are being represented by Kufaruwenga, Kajevu and Zihanzu Legal Practitioners.
They said Nyamande was nominated for appointment as Chief Chirumanzi on June 6, 2024 by Garwe and the Midlands Provincial Chiefs Assembly.
“The nomination was marred with numerous illegalities and procedural irregularities, which forced the applicants to file an application at the High Court in Harare under case number HCH920/25 to set aside the proceedings,” they submitted.
“The inauguration of fourth respondent as Chief Chirumanzu, especially in the face of litigation pending case number HCH920/25, interferes, dismantles and destroys the integrity and authority of the court and renders nugatory its role of settling disputes and dispensing justice.
“Accordingly, the applicants seek an order suspending and/or staying the appointment and inauguration by first respondent of the fourth respondent as Chief Chirumanzu pending finalisation of case number HCH920/25.”
The applicants submitted that there were gross irregularities in the proceedings for the nomination of Chief Chirumanzu.
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“To avert such a calamity on both sides, there is need for the intervention of the court by stopping, staying and/or suspending the inauguration, installation and appointment of the fourth respondent as Chief Chirumanzu pending the determination of case number HCH920/25,” they submitted.
On June 6 last year, the Midlands Provincial Chiefs Assembly appointed Nyamande of Mutizirapi house substantive chief ahead of Julius Chimbi Chigegwe of Nherera house, who claims to be the heir to the throne.
The battle for the Chirumanzu chieftainship started after the death of Gerald Mudzengi in February 2019.
Before the appointment of Nyamande last year, Gerald’s son, Fidelis, was acting in that capacity, but Chigegwe maintains he is next in line.
