Mugabe is searching out those traditional leaders who might opposite him - and he knows just how to deal with them
As the ruthless politicians, secret policemen and army
generals jostle for power in this turbulent land, it is easy to forget that
Zimbabwe has another ruling class - the rural chiefs and village headmen. Yet
these traditional figures, supposedly free of any party alignment, are now being
dragged into the political melee by Mugabe's desperate supporters.
The chiefs are not elected. The title is passed down from
father to son. But their position is recognised in the Traditional Leaders Act,
and as such they are paid a monthly allowance and get other benefits. Their main
function is to hold small courts and adjudicate on minor civil
issues.
But now those chiefs suspected of harbouring sympathy for the
opposition Movement for Democratic Change have suddenly found that the
government has withdrawn their payments and benefits.
Five chiefs and an undisclosed number of headmen, from the
province of Masvingo where there is little sympathy for the ruling Zanu-PF
party, have been targeted. Three of them have been identified as Chief
Masivamele and Chief Sengwe, both from Chiredzi, and Chief Ziki from
Bikita.
One of them - he preferred me not to give his name - confirmed
that his official allowance had been stopped three months ago.
He told me: "I went to the bank at the end of May, and I was
told nothing had been deposited in my account. It was the same story in June. A
colleague in the ministry of local government then told me that I was on a list
of chiefs believed to be aligned with the opposition."
Shortly after that he was summoned to the ministry and bluntly
told that his allowance had been stopped.
A chief's allowance amounts to Z$2m a month, while a headman
gets half that amount. Chiefs are also given a car, and have their electricity
bills paid.
At least, that's what they can still expect if they are
faithful Zanu-PF supporters. If not then these traditional leaders can expect
the same sort of tough treatment that Mugabe is dishing out to anyone who might
be tempted to vote for the opposition when next year's elections roll
around.

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