Story by Tendai Munengwa
CHIEF Negomo’s traditional court in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central Province, has emerged as a key platform in addressing drug and substance abuse, child sexual exploitation and other community disputes.
What may appear to be a church gathering is, in fact, a biweekly court session convened under Chief Negomo, drawing villagers from across the area seeking redress and mediation.
From early morning until late on Saturday, February 21, the court handled more than 25 cases, ranging from child abuse and drug-related matters to land disputes and marital conflicts.
“We are now even dealing with cases of rampant drug abuse and child abuse, the other worrying issue is that of the so called aviators it has spread here to the extent that my people are in danger of losing properties and the little cash they are getting so we are summoning the affected and try to help them other case are to with marriage, boundary disputes and others so every two weeks I convene this court it’s overwhelming like today we dealt with over 25 cases,” said Chief Negomo.
Villagers who attended the session expressed satisfaction with the court’s handling of disputes.
“We are very happy because Chief Negomo always takes his time to resolve disputes and, like myself, he delivered a fair judgment on my daughter, who was divorced,” said one villager.
Another woman from the Kakora area added: “I am excited because we had a land boundary dispute for a long time, but Chief Negomo managed to iron it out in a transparent manner.”
Community members said the traditional court has helped restore order and unity by imposing fines and encouraging reconciliation in cases involving family and social disputes.
Traditional courts operate under statutory and customary law as provided for in the Traditional Leaders Act and the Constitution of Zimbabwe, empowering them to act as custodians of communal land, promote culture and resolve disputes at community level.
