Gov doesn’t recognize Marava as Chief Mutema in Chipinge

Chipinge District Development Coordinator (DDC), William Mashava has said that Government doesn’t recognize Taurai Marava as Chief Mutema after a traditional ceremony recognizing Marava as the next Chief Mutema was held at Nyunga Village last Saturday.

Mashava told Chipinge Times that the appointment of a chief is subject to Government procedure and such procedures are yet to be done.

“The selection is done by the family under the guidance of the Local Government office. For one to be officially recognised, the process must include all families and the candidate’s details must be submitted for approval by the President,” Mashava said.

Mutema was recognised as the rightful chief at a ceremony presided over by members of the Mutema chieftainship council, village heads and clan spirit mediums.

Headman Maunganidze told Chipinge Times that clan elders were instructed by the clan spirit to tell Government to install Marava as Chief Mutema.

“The spirit told us that if Government refused, it would intervene to ensure that Marava is installed as the new chief,” said Maunganidze.

The chieftainship has been vacant for six years following the death of the last substantive chief, Philemon Mutema in February 2020.

Maunganidze added that they consulted all spirit mediums and clan elders before throwing a ceremony to celebrate Marava as the next substantive chief.

“When Taurai arrived, we took him to multiple spirit mediums and prophets to verify his claim. All of them confirmed that he is the rightful chief. This was not Taurai’s own decision, it was the call of the ancestors.

“Our responsibility as elders was to verify his lineage, guide him according to our traditions and ensure the process was followed properly before he could be welcomed as chief,” said Maunganidze.

Marava was born and raised in Zaka District after his father relocated from Chipinge. He had a twin brother, Boas who is late.

“We approached the clan’s spirit medium, Makopa (also known as Mbuya Chananga) from Ngaone. During the ceremony, Shiriyedenga’s spirit reportedly possessed the medium, ululating three times to declare Taurai the rightful Chief Mutema.

“The spirit instructed us to brew beer, slaughter a black cow and formally welcome him. It also directed us to inform acting Chief Mutema, Captain Samutsa that the rightful chief had arrived and should step down. Importantly, it instructed us to take Taurai to the Government and tell them to officially install him as Chief Mutema. If they refused, the spirit said it would intervene directly,” Maunganidze said.

Samutsa could not be reached for comment. Mirror