The Lands ministry in conjunction with traditional leaders countrywide has started the process of drawing boundaries in newly-acquired farms, which will see the appointment of new chiefs.
BY BENSON DUBE
The demarcation processes are in line with section 29 of the Traditional Leaders Act.
The redefinition of boundaries has been necessitated by the land redistribution exercise, which began 15 years ago in which thousands of people were resettled in former white commercial farms with no traditional leaders.
In 2000, thousands of people moved to former white-owned farms during the chaotic land reform programme, but chiefs did not assume responsibilities in the new areas and the pilot province for the exercise has been set for Matabeleland South.
In an interview on the side-lines of the just-ended Mine Entra exhibition at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds in Bulawayo, Chief’s Council president Fortune Charumbira said traditional leaders in Matabeleland South Province were moving around the districts drawing boundaries in former commercial farms.
He said the chiefs were being given areas of jurisdiction within the farms.
“Traditional leaders are redrawing boundaries in line with the Traditional Leaders’ Act,” Charumbira said.
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“Some people were resettled in the year 2000 in areas where there were no traditional leaders and as a result we have to draw new boundaries.
“New farm dwellers will now belong to specific chiefs in particular areas.
“This will be done district by district and currently the exercise is going on in Insiza district.”
Matabeleland South Province paramount chief, Chief Maduna said they had since completed redefining boundaries in parts of Plumtree and the exercise has now moved to Insiza.
“We are redrawing boundaries in the country. People who resettled in farms did not go with their traditional leaders, so we are working on providing that leadership,” he said.
“We are through with Plumtree and are now heading to Lochard Farm in Insiza.
“This programme would be conducted country wide and Matabeleland South is the pilot province.”
