Chiredzi Community radio station, Avuxeni FM, might suffer a stillbirth, should Chief Neromwe, Clemence Madzingo, proceed with his plans to Interdict Avuxeni Board members.
By Staff Reporter
Madzingo said the expected official opening of the radio station this month might be a fallacy.
He said the composition of the Board is tribalistic, since it is composed of only close family members from the Chief Tshovani Clan, instead of being equally represented by members from the entire community.
Chief Neromwe said the radio station is a community project that can not be hijacked by a clique of people or a tribe.
“I am one of the Chiefs here but I was never consulted or involved on this radio station. I don’t even know how these members were selected and who selected them.
Needless to say, these Board members are from one family, from Chief Tshovani.
This is not the way a community project is run. I tried to talk to them during the Minister(Joram Gumbo)’s visit last week but they are ignorant. I have no option but to take them to Court before the radio is officially launched” Madzingo said.
He also revealed that he wants the Board to be disbanded and a new one elected with equal representation from the entire community.
“If you look at the composition of the Board, it is composed of only the Shangani people who are also close relatives.
We want a Board that is equally represented.” Madzingo said.
The Chief said he is not against the community radio initiative, but people who hijacked it and assume ownership as a private entity.
“This Radio station is for the community and no one must claim ownership of it like what we are witnessing. The Board is improperly constituted. I have also realised that the same people are handpicking their relatives for jobs at the project. This is unacceptable.
I visited the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services (Monica Mutsvangwa) and she told me that all members in the community must be equally represented”, he added.
Neromwe also said he wrote a letter of objection to the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe during the infancy of the project, objecting the involvement of politicians who influenced the outcome of the nominations.
“I don’t know what happened to my factual objections that I launched at BAZ. The same issue that I highlighted in my objection letter are exactly what is on the ground. I am afraid that the Radio station might not get the support from the community because of this tribal divide”, Chief Neromwe added.
Minister Mutsvangwa confirmed meeting the Chief two months ago.
“I can confirm that Chief Neromwe visited me and we had time to talk over issues at Avuxeni radio.
I made it clear to him that the Radio Station is for the community and must be run by the community. I also called the Ministry’s point person in Chiredzi to sort out his grievances. I am surprised to hear that the issue is still contentious when we are just some few days to officially open the project.
My advice still remains,no one or any tribe has entitlement to a community Radio”, she said.
Avuxeni Spokesperson Saviours Furumele said ” I wouldnt want to respond so precisely about issues to do with Chiefs because they are best handled by the DDC’s office. That office knows who really to engage when and how. I think he has that right to seek clarification though the objection period has lapsed.
As for the Board appointments for Avuxeni FM i refer you to the Chiredzi Communities Development Initiatives Trust (CCDIT) constitution. Its clarified in the provisions there and you can obtain it from the Trustees”, Furumele said.
Chiredzi Communities Development Initiative Trust was formed by three Chiefs, Chief Gudo, Tshovani and Sengwe under the Zunde raMambo initiatives.
According to the Trust Deed, only the Trustees have the final say on its operations.
Chiredzi has seven Chiefs, Sengwe, ,Gudo, Neromwe, Gezani, Chilonga and Mpapa. Four Chiefs are exluded in the Trust Deed.
Only three Chiefs are the Trustees, explaining how Avuxeni board is composed.
Avuxeni Board members are Herbert Phikela, Saviours Furumele, Israel Tsumele, Tsakani, Ms Mbizabafana and Lodi Gavhela.
Chief Neromwe’s Chieftainship was resuscitated by Government 4 years ago, taking a bigger chunk from Chief Tshovani ‘s jurisdiction.The move was met with resistance from the Shangani chief who felt cheated and took the matter to Court.
The Court however, ruled in favour of Chief Neromwe, but Chief Tshovani had to appeal the ruling at the High Court.The ruling is still pending.
Chief Neromwe’s bid to challenge the composition of the Avuxeni Board might rekindle the long standoff between the two tribes.
Chiredzi North Member of Parliament, Roy Bhila also told Minister Joram Gumbo during his assessment tour at Avuxeni that he was also not involved.
“Minister, the truth is that I only hear of the radio station but I don’t know how it started and who is involved.Everything is being done behind our backs” Bhila said.
