ANCESTRAL HOME DISPUTE LEAVES CHIWUNDURA MAN PLEADING FOR CHIEFS’ INTERVENTION

For nearly a decade, Milton Dulula of Gumbure Village under Chief Chiwundura says he has watched what he considers his ancestral birthright slip beyond his reach, leaving him unable to visit, protect or perform traditional rites at the family homestead where generations of his forefathers are buried.

Now, after years of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the dispute, Dulula is appealing to the Chief's Council and other responsible authorities to intervene and help bring lasting peace to a conflict that he says has divided his family and disrupted long-standing cultural traditions.

According to Dulula, the dispute, which dates back to 2016, is between himself and his aunt's son, Leyard Mashiri Nkiwane, over control of the family homestead where clan ceremonies have traditionally been conducted.

"The homestead is where every family member should have free access. Today we are barred from entering the premises, from putting up any structures and have been ordered to remain 100 metres away," Dulula said.

He said the matter was initially heard by the late Chief Gambiza during a period when the Chiwundura chieftainship was under dispute. Dulula maintains that no appeal was ever filed against Chief Gambiza's ruling and believes it should still stand.

Dulula further alleged that subsequent developments resulted in the matter being transferred to the general courts, where he says restrictions imposed through a peace order have prevented him and other family members from accessing the ancestral home.

He said those restrictions have also stopped the family from rebuilding a traditional kitchen that he believes is essential for conducting customary rituals and installing tombstones at the graves of their ancestors.

"Our culture teaches us to honour our ancestors. Being prevented from doing that has left us spiritually, psychologically and physically distressed," he said.

Dulula also alleged that attempts by traditional leaders to reconcile the parties did not yield a lasting solution and expressed concern that the dispute has continued to deepen divisions within the extended family.

He is now calling on the Chief's Council to establish a Commission of Inquiry to examine the matter, hear all parties and help restore harmony within the family.

"How can an entire clan be denied the opportunity to perform ceremonies and rituals at its ancestral home? We simply want justice, peace and an opportunity for everyone to be heard," he said.

Dulula also appealed to law enforcement agencies to continue handling the matter impartially while respecting the role of traditional leadership in resolving customary disputes.

Community members and traditional leaders have long played an important role in preserving family heritage and resolving disputes before they become permanent divisions. Dulula hopes that renewed engagement by the relevant authorities will provide an opportunity for all parties to present their cases and help restore peace, dignity and unity within the family.

Efforts to obtain comment from Mr Leyard Mashiri Nkiwane and Mr Joseph Chuma were unsuccessful at the time of going to print