HARARE – Matabeleland North traditional leader, Chief Mtshane Khumalo was Thursday elected new president of the Zimbabwe chiefs’ council after outgoing leader of the body, Chief Fortune Charumbira relinquished the post, opting to become deputy.
Charumbira, who is also president of the Pan African parliament, was president of the chief’s council for several years.
On the other hand, until now, Chief Khumalo had been deputy president of the chief’s council for years as well.
The two chiefs were elected unopposed in polls conducted by the elections body, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Thursday.
ZEC presiding officer, James Chidamba said the elections had been conducted in strict accordance with the law, and the outcome was valid.
“We were well prepared as ZEC. The elections for the president and deputy president of the Chiefs council went on very well and according to the law.
“It was transparent, smooth and we are grateful that there were no glitches at all because we came well prepared,” he said.
In his victory speech, Chief Khumalo appreciated the confidence that his colleagues had shown in him.
“If you notice the same presidium for 2018 was retained unopposed.
“For me, it is a sign of confidence in our leadership from our colleagues.
“We shall continue working as a team. It is easier to have continuity of doing things than starting afresh.
“So, I can say this election result is a head start.”
Chief Khumalo said his immediate priority would be aligning the Traditional Leaders Act with the constitution.
“This Act should have been aligned about 10 years ago, but this has not taken place.
“We shall push this through our line ministry so that it is aligned and conforms to the constitution,” he said.
The two traditional leaders automatically become members of the Senate.
