Richard Mugore’s death puts Chief Chambara claim in limbo
By Lloyd Mwale in Kadoma
The death of Richard Mugore (69), in Kadoma recently has cast uncertainty over the claim to the traditional leadership of Chief Chambara, potentially complicating efforts to resolve the dispute and establish who should rightfully occupy the chieftaincy.
Mugore’s death comes at a time when questions surrounding the claim to the traditional leadership remain unresolved.
Traditional leadership disputes in Zimbabwe often involve questions of lineage and the recognition of rightful heirs. Such cases can become complicated when a key figure dies before the matter is conclusively settled, particularly where the individual’s testimony, family position or role in the claim is central to the proceedings.
In the case of Chief Chambara, Mugore’s death could leave important questions unanswered, depending on the nature of his involvement in the claim and the evidence available to those responsible for determining the rightful successor.
Zimbabwe’s traditional leadership structures remain an important part of rural governance, with chiefs playing a key role in preserving customs, resolving community disputes and maintaining social cohesion.
However, succession disputes can create divisions within communities, particularly when rival claimants disagree over family history. The death of a key participant does not necessarily bring a succession claim to an end. Depending on the circumstances, the process may continue on the basis of documentary evidence, family testimony and applicable customary procedures.
It remains unclear whether Richard Mugore’s death will significantly alter the course of the Chief Chambara claim or whether the matter will proceed through the established channels.
But the surviving Mugore family members and relatives have vowed to carry on claiming the installation of Chief Chambara.
Archbishop Dr Morris Brown Gwedegwe of Church of Zimbabwe, who is a close relative said the death of Richard Mugore does not stop the claim of Chief Chambara to their ancestral rightful area between Musengezi river in Chegutu and Muzvezve rivers in Kadoma.
“The death of Richard Mugore, the son of Mudziwepasi, and Mudziwepasi who was the son of Chambara, does not create a gap, there are his children, so they can still claim their chieftainship. But they will have to go through the right procedure to claim their chieftainship,” said
Archbishop Dr Gwedegwe.
“Remember the battle to claim the Chambara chieftainship has been raging on since 2022. Chief Ngezi is claiming Chief Chambara’s area as his so there is a big problem. Chief Ngezi is the provincial Chairman of Chiefs and also a senator and they have to pass through him, and that’s were the obstacle lies. But we don’t care about him because he has his own area.”
The claimants argue the area between Musengezi and Muzvezve belongs to Chief Chambara being the younger brother of Chief Beperere, all being the sons of Chief Zvimba.
“And after Richard Mugore’s memorial service sometime later, we will sit down as a family and map the way forward to claim Chief Charamba chieftainship,” said Archbishop Dr Gwedegwe.
Prosper Mutongerwa, another relative to the Mugore’s, said that Richard had been fighting to claim his ancestral land since 2022.
“Richard has been fighting for their clan chieftainship since 2022 but has been unwell since last September and the illness has claimed his life before he was installed as Chief Chmbara. He has been to all the relevant offices and was about have his chieftainship back. He has been fighting Chief Ngezi all along for his land which stretches from Chegutu up to Kadoma.
Chief Chambara had been desposed off his land by the whites colonial settlers and after independence Chief Ngezi took advantage to install his Village Heads leading to the battle,” said Mutongerwa.
The late Richard Mugore was laid to rest at Rimuka Cemetery in Kadoma last week.
