A traditional leader in Gutu, Masvingo Province is engaging the government in a bid to be restored to the chieftaincy following his dethronement on allegations of supporting the opposition MDC Alliance (MDC-A) led by Nelson Chamisa.
Reports indicate that a group comprising war veterans and ZANU PF youths recently besieged the dethroned chief, Phenias Makore’s homestead.
Makore told NewZimbabwe.com that he had never supported the ruling ZANU PF party but life became difficult for him when he started supporting the opposition openly. He said:
I have never supported the ruling party although I benefited from government programmes which are entitled to chiefs.
I am a bona fide chief in Gutu but was stripped off my chieftainship after I openly criticised Zanu PF’s policies in my area and started working with other opposition voices. Since then, my life has not been better.
I am engaging the government through the ministry of local government to ensure I am restored as a rightful chief of my people.
The former chief has over the years been instrumental in leading MDC-A activities in Gutu district offering transport, shelter, and food to opposition activists in the area.
In 2018, Makore used his farm to shelter opposition members who had become targets of the ruling party members in Chihambakwe and Shenjere communal areas in Gutu.