Controversy Erupts as Chiefs Impose "Personal Taxes" on Overburdened Villagers

ai avatar of Chief Gutu

A wave of outcry is spreading across rural communities as villagers express deep concern over mandatory levies imposed by traditional leaders. Critics argue these collections, often undocumented and unaccounted for, essentially function as personal funds for Chiefs rather than official administrative revenue.

The Case of Chief Gutu

A specific instance has come to light involving Chief Gutu (Lawrence Chigariro). Reportedly, Headman Gadzingo ordered village heads under his jurisdiction to raise US$10 each for the Chief's "Zunde raMambo" program. The scale of this collection is significant: Chief Gutu oversees 14 headmen, who in turn manage dozens of village heads. With Headman Gadzingo alone overseeing 106 village heads, estimates suggest the total collection could exceed US$10,000.

According to an anonymous village head, these funds are sourced directly from villagers. Because the smallest denomination available is often US$1, every villager is expected to contribute at least that amount. This process reportedly generates "far excess cash" that remains outside of any official accounting system.

Conflicting Responses and Legal Standing

Headman Gadzingo confirmed the mandatory US$10 payment was discussed during a meeting at Runyowa Business Center, citing cultural points following a gathering at Maungwa Secondary School. While Chief Gutu confirmed the collection, he reacted with anger and threats when asked by reporters to comment further on the matter.

However, legal experts have raised serious red flags. Lawyer Martin Mureri stated clearly that these collections are illegal, noting that a Chief's role is to support government-led development rather than independently taxing citizens. Conversely, Chief Chitanga of the Provincial Chiefs' Assembly saw "nothing amiss," hypothesizing that the funds are likely being used to purchase agricultural inputs, such as fertilizer, to supplement the "Zunde raMambo" program during supply shortages.

Understanding Zunde raMambo

Traditionally, "Zunde raMambo" is a government-supported social safety net. The government provides agricultural inputs, and villagers provide the labor to plough the Chief's fields. The resulting harvest is intended to support the most vulnerable members of the community, including the elderly and child-headed households. The shift toward cash levies has now placed this long-standing tradition under intense public and legal scrutiny.