By Loice Takarindwa (Masvingo)
The Minister of State and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira, has been implicated as the primary figure behind the escalating instability within the Masvingo Provincial Assembly.
Information obtained indicates that Minister Chadzamira, who shares a longstanding political rivalry with Chief Fortune Charumbira, has reportedly aligned with newly elevated chiefdoms—including Nemamwa, previously a headman under Charumbira—to challenge the traditional leader’s authority.
According to Tendekai Mangwiro, a local resident from Masvingo Province, Minister Chadzamira reportedly sponsored and coordinated an effort targeting Chief Senator Charumbira, Provincial Assembly Chairperson Chief Chitanga and Senator Chief Nhema. Mangwiro further alleged that this campaign has been supported by coordinated media coverage intended to shape public perception around the dispute.
The illegal gathering recently held in the Province also saw Chadzamira raising a bid to oust the Provincial Assembly Chairperson Chief Chitanga and replace him with Chief Serima.
”The situation unfolding in the Masvingo Provincial Assembly is being driven by the Resident Minister,” Mangwiro stated. “Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira allegedly provided $10,000 to participating chiefs and warned that failure to comply with instructions to target Chief Fortune Charumbira would lead to their removal from chieftainship and the withdrawal of state-issued vehicles.”
Mangwiro added that on September 13, 2026, traditional leaders convened at a local hotel before being directed to a separate location referred to as Deo. During this gathering, Minister Chadzamira reportedly instructed the assembly to initiate a motion to recall the three provincial senators representing traditional leaders in Parliament.
Following initial hesitation from the gathering, Chief Nemamwa agreed to table the motion during the assembly session, citing historical disputes with the Charumbira clan regarding the Nemamwa chieftainship status. Chief Serima was directed to preside over the proceedings and ensure voting was conducted openly by a show of hands rather than secret ballot, while Chief Murinye was requested to outline the alleged constitutional violations.
The friction between Senator Chief Charumbira and Minister Chadzamira stems from sustained political differences in Masvingo West, where the two have previously clashed over ward elections and traditional boundary disputes.
Despite the momentum generated by these developments, legal provisions governing traditional leaders in Parliament specify that individual chiefs, provincial assemblies, or collective groupings do not possess the statutory authority to directly unseat or recall a sitting Senator representing the Council of Chiefs.
