The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) disclosed that the election of Chief Fortune Charumbira as the deputy president of the National Council of Chiefs faced objections, raising concerns over his previous tenure as the council’s president. Chief Charumbira, who had previously served two terms as the council’s president, secured the deputy president position in the August 10, 2023 elections. This development came alongside the election of Chief Khumalo Matshane, formerly the council’s deputy president, as the new president during the same elections.
However, Zec’s report on the 2023 harmonized elections, presented in Parliament recently, revealed reservations from some quarters regarding Charumbira’s election. Concerns were raised due to his prior service as the council’s president for two terms. “While there is no explicit law prohibiting this, there seems to be some quotas who have expressed reservations on having one elected as a deputy president of the council of Chiefs after serving at its helm for two terms, as president,” Zec stated in its report.
This objection underscores the need for a review of the law governing the constitution of the council of chiefs to address the issue. Zec emphasized the importance of examining the provision and considering its desirability or lack thereof for future elections. “The election of the President and the deputy president of the Council of Chiefs saw the former Deputy president of the council being elevated to the post of President while the former president being elected as the deputy president,” Zec’s report added. The commission’s call for a review aims to ensure fairness and transparency in future elections within the council of chiefs, reflecting the evolving dynamics and sensitivities surrounding leadership transitions.
In addition to the internal elections within the council of chiefs, Zec highlighted the Senate elections held on August 24, 2023. These elections, conducted across the eight non-metropolitan provinces, aimed to elect two chiefs from each province as Senate members. While the objections over Charumbira’s election have sparked discussions on the electoral process within the council of chiefs, the broader implications underscore the importance of transparent and accountable governance structures in Zimbabwe.
The resolution of such objections and the subsequent review of electoral laws can contribute to strengthening democratic practices and fostering confidence in the electoral process. Overall, Zec’s report sheds light on the complexities and challenges inherent in managing elections within traditional governance structures, highlighting the ongoing efforts to uphold democratic principles and promote good governance in Zimbabwe as a nation.
