Zimbabwe Army Commander (ZNA) Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe has been dragged into a raging chieftainship dispute in Nyanga where he is alleged to have tried to use his influence to dictate proceedings.
Sanyatwe is accused of threatening traditional leaders in the district over Chief Katerere’s chieftainship wrangle where he is allegedly pushing for his preferred candidate to assume the post.
His alleged preferred candidate Alexio Chinongwa Nyamhute was supposed to be installed on Wednesday as Chief Katerere at Bande Primary School in Nyanga district, Manicaland province.
The High Court, however, stopped the event after Nyamhute’s eligibility was challenged amid claims that his appointment was hijacked by politicians.
The army commander grabbed headlines over his remarks that Zanu PF will rule forever while speaking during a party-inter district meeting in Nyanga.
Former opposition leader Nelson Chamisa’s lawyer Thabani Mpofu wrote to the army commnander demanding a retraction of the statements within seven days and warned that if the ultimatum is ignored he will take legal action.
In the video Sanyatwe can be heard saying he is going to deal with issues of traditional leaders.
“On the issue of traditional leaders, as owners of the party (Zanu PF) we are going to deal with,” he said.
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Sources in Nyanga told Standard yesterday that the inter-district meeting in Nyanga was also meant to whip traditional leaders into line to support Nyamhute ahead of Chinake Mutseta who was selected by spirit mediums.
“Some of the traditional leaders are not supporting Sanyatwe’s candidate,” a source said.
“It is these traditional leaders they want to whip into line.”
Nyanga district development coordinato, Lloyd Kasima, who is also accused of influencing the appointment of Nyamhute, denied claims that the chieftainship dispute was fuelled by politicians.
Kasima is also being accused of doctoring minutes that support Nyamhute.
“l don’t know about the allegations but we have postponed the installation of Nyamhute,” he said.
“l don’t know where the issue of honourable Chido Sanyatwe and Anselem Sanyatwe is coming from.”
Sanyatwe’s wife, Chido, is the Nyanga North lawmaker and Zanu PF politburo member.
The Sanyatwe’s were not reachable for comment yesterday despite repeated efforts.
Nyamhute’s critics claim that he does not belong to the clan.
Warring parties last week held a pre-trial meeting before High Court judge Justice Isaac Muzenda.
Mutare lawyer Christopher Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners confirmed the pre-trial conference.
