Now the chiefs are the target

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of harbouring sympathy for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have suddenly found that the government has withdrawn their payments and benefits.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.