Chief ‘masterminds extortion’ of villagers

News
TSHINGABABILI villagers in the Mangwe district of Plumtree under Chief Tshitshi are complaining that they are being forced to pay R50 by the chief for him to stamp any document they require.

TSHINGABABILI villagers in the Mangwe district of Plumtree under Chief Tshitshi are complaining that they are being forced to pay R50 by the chief for him to stamp any document they require. MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

In a letter addressed to the Mangwe district administrator and signed by MDC-T Matabeleland South provincial secretary for welfare, Norman Mpofu, on November 15, Tshingababili villagers in a meeting held on November 9, allegedly said Tshitshi was abusing his powers and making profit out of their desperation.

“The villagers of Tshingababili in Mangwe alleged in a meeting in November in the presence of Nyoni, a police officer based at Mpoengs Police Station, that they were forced by Tshitshi to pay R50 for him to stamp whatever document required from him,” part of the letter reads.

“If true, this is a violation of the villagers’ rights, clear abuse, commercialisation and corrupt use of the respectable chief’s office,” the letter reads.

The letter also alleged that the villagers were finding it difficult to secure crucial documents such as birth certificates and national identity cards.

“Some allege that they even failed to vote due to lack of necessary documents as a result of his demands.

“This is a disturbing allegation which requires immediate intervention by your office,” the letter continues.

The MDC-T Mangwe district chairperson Danisile Ncube told Southern Eye that before the July 31 elections Tshitshi reportedly sjamboked villagers who had gone to register as new voters at mobile registration stations in his village accusing them of side-lining him.

Ncube also accused Tshitshi of politicising food aid distribution in Mangwe district.

“If they know that you are not from the ruling party Zanu PF, they do not give you anything.

“They tell you straight that this food is for Zanu PF supporters,” Ncube said.

“This is not correct because we know that this food is not for Zanu PF supporters only, but for the people of Zimbabwe.

“People are the ones paying taxes and they expect to get assistance in due course.

“It is also confusing because we know that (President Robert) Mugabe represents the people of Zimbabwe not a certain political party,” he said.

Tshitshi could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone.

However, Mangwe district councillor Sindisiwe Sibanda said she was not aware of the allegations levelled against Tshitshi. Sibanda accused the MDC-T members of spreading lies as there was no food being currently distributed in the area.