Outrage Over Hwange Headmen’s 15-Year Wait for Pay, MPs Press Ministry
HARARE – A storm has erupted in Parliament over claims that several headmen in Hwange district, Matabeleland North, have not received salaries for more than a decade despite actively serving in traditional leadership roles.
The matter was brought forward by Hwange East legislator Joseph Bonda, who accused the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works of failing to formalize appointments and pay long-serving traditional leaders.
He queried why most headmen in the district remained unrecognized and uncompensated.
“My question is, why has the ministry failed to appoint and pay the majority of headmen in Hwange district despite their long service? Some have waited up to 15 years,” Bonda said during a heated parliamentary session.
In response, Deputy Minister of Local Government Benjamin Kabikira asserted that all officially appointed headmen in Hwange were receiving allowances. “There are none that are owed any back pay,” he claimed.
However, Bonda disputed the minister’s position, stating that only one headman in the entire district was receiving a salary, while many others continued to serve their communities without appointment or support.
He urged the ministry to urgently address the issue, emphasizing that traditional leaders are “pillars of village-level development” and deserve recognition through formal appointments and timely payments.
As highlighted by Southern Eye, the parliamentary debate has spotlighted the sluggish pace of leadership regularization and the broader consequences of overlooking grassroots governance structures.
Several lawmakers echoed Bonda’s sentiments, warning that failure to support headmen compromises development at the village level.
Adding his voice, legislator Tofanana Zhou raised concerns over the absence of chiefs in resettlement areas.
Kabikira responded that the process to appoint chiefs was ongoing but awaited the final alignment of the Traditional Leadership Act with the Constitution—an alignment he said was nearing completion.
“The ministry is working to regularize appointments, but we must first ensure the law is constitutionally aligned. That process is advanced,” Kabikira said.
