Chief wants to ban women from politics
By Tichaona Sibanda
20 November 2008

A traditional chief in Manicaland with strong ZANU PF links, has instituted civil proceedings to ban women from holding political posts in his chiefdom.

So incensed is Chief John Rukweza about the emergence of an influential female MDC councillor in his area that he wants to ban her and all other women from political activities.

MDC councillor for ward 27 in Makoni South constituency, Loveness Makaure, will appear before Chief Rukweza on Friday at his homestead. Apart from the move to ban her from politics, Makaure also faces allegations of insulting Robert Mugabe during an MDC rally and leaking names of perpetrators of violence, during the presidential run-off election.

The MDC MP for the constituency, Pishai Muchauraya, told Newsreel that they advised Makaure to attend the ‘kangaroo court’ and defend herself. She will be accompanied by all other councillors from the district and by party activists.

Commenting on the chief’s charges, Muchauraya said; ‘Either he’s very old or he’s so addicted to ZANU PF principles that he cannot see sense.’

This is not the first time that the chief and the councillor have crossed swords. In October last year Makaure was summoned to the traditional court of the chief after being found putting up posters advertising an MDC rally at a local business center in Makoni East.

Then, Makaure refused to appear before the chief. But this time she is determined to face him and defend herself. Muchauraya explained why they decided to let Makaure attend the court.

‘Those charges are false and ridiculous. He cannot formulate his own laws to ban her from holding political positions. The constitution in Zimbabwe allows both males and females to participate in politics. We know his agenda but we want to deal with this issue once and for all,’ Muchauraya said.

He added; ‘Apart from Makaure there are many other women councillors and MPs from both ZANU PF and the MDC. So he cannot just wake up and decide to pick on an MDC councillor who’s obviously giving him sleepless nights because of her popularity in the area.’

The influential Makaure has raised the ire of the chief with her work in the communities in the five constituencies in Makoni district. Four of the five constituencies are held by the MDC. She raises money for fees in all the schools, as well as helping to stock clinics with medicines.

Her good work has of course been appreciated by both ZANU PF and MDC supporters, but angered the chief and Didymus Mutasa, the only ZANU MP in the district. The kangaroo court on Friday might turn out to be a futile exercise as traditional chiefs in the country are only allowed to preside over civil disputes.

Technically the chief has no power to ban Makaure or strip her of her title. He also cannot preside over the other two allegations as they are considered states cases.