Buhera – The serene landscapes of Buhera are once again shrouded in sorrow as the community mourns the untimely death of Acting Chief Makumbe, Takudzwa Paul Chengeta. At the young age of 30, Chengeta’s life was tragically cut short in a head-on collision between his vehicle and a Gold Class bus on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy of potential and a community grappling with unanswered questions.
The accident, which occurred at the 86-kilometre peg along the Harare-Mutare highway, has not only claimed the life of a promising young leader but has also reignited a national conversation about the alarming number of tragic deaths among Zimbabwe’s traditional leaders.
The news of Chengeta’s death has reverberated throughout the nation, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences from community members, government officials, and fellow traditional leaders. His body was transported to the Marondera Provincial Hospital mortuary, where preparations are underway for a funeral that is expected to draw mourners from across the country. A passenger who was travelling with Chengeta sustained injuries in the accident and is currently receiving medical treatment at the same hospital.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the tragic incident, stating that “A local chief has died in an accident. We will be releasing more details in due course.” However, the brevity of the statement has done little to quell the growing unease and speculation surrounding the circumstances of Chengeta’s death. In a nation where traditional beliefs and customs hold significant sway, the untimely demise of a chief often raises questions beyond the realm of conventional explanations.
Takudzwa Paul Chengeta, a final-year Civil Engineering student at the University of Zimbabwe, was seen as a rising star within his community. He embodied a unique blend of traditional values and modern aspirations, demonstrating a commitment to both his academic pursuits and his responsibilities as a traditional leader. His journey was one of bridging the gap between the old and the new, carrying the weight of tradition while embracing the possibilities of the future.
Buhera District Development Coordinator (DDC) Freeman Mavhiza confirmed the death to The Mirror, highlighting the profound loss felt by the entire district. Chengeta’s dedication to the development and well-being of his community had earned him the respect and admiration of many, making his untimely death all the more devastating.
According to sources close to the family, Chengeta was travelling from Harare to Mutare with a friend when the accident occurred. His uncle, Tapiwa Chengeta, spoke on behalf of the grieving family, conveying their deep sorrow and uncertainty. “He was driving towards Mutare with his friend when he collided with a Gold Class Express bus. The friend sustained minor injuries,” Tapiwa Chengeta said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We are waiting for the necessary protocols and leadership guidance to decide on the official burial date, but it will most likely be on Saturday at his rural home in Buhera.”
The weight of tradition had fallen upon Chengeta’s young shoulders following the death of his father, the late Chief Makumbe, Shepherd Chengeta, in March 2023. As the eldest son, he was appointed Acting Chief Makumbe last year, stepping into a role that demanded wisdom, leadership, and a deep understanding of the customs and traditions of his people. His appointment was seen as a testament to his character and his potential to guide the community forward.
However, the tragedy of Acting Chief Makumbe’s death is not an isolated incident. It is a grim reminder of a disturbing pattern that has emerged in Zimbabwe, where a significant number of traditional leaders have met untimely deaths, often in car accidents or under circumstances that have fueled speculation of foul play and witchcraft. This pattern has cast a shadow of fear and uncertainty over the traditional leadership community, prompting calls for greater protection and thorough investigations into these tragic events.
The death of Chengeta comes barely four weeks after another newly installed chief, Hatisani Mabasa, the first beneficiary of the Masivamele chieftainship after it was upgraded, died on 14 February this year. He was 81. Chiredzi District Development Coordinator (DDC), Lovemore Chisema confirmed the sad development in a telephone interview with The Mirror and said Chief Masivamele succumbed to an accident with his government vehicle on Friday which also claimed his son’s life.
“Chief Masivamele died on Friday after an accident at around 11 PM which takes place near Zimbabwe Sugar Association (ZSA) bus terminus,” said Chisema. “He was accompanied by a driver and his son died on the spot and Chief Masivamele died at around 5 PM at the hospital while the driver sustained injuries.” Chief Masivamele was one of the newly appointed chiefs and he was yet to be officially installed this year.
The death of Chief Masivamele, a respected elder and a symbol of traditional authority, sent ripples of grief throughout the Chiredzi district and beyond. His loss, coming so soon after his installation, was seen by many as a cruel twist of fate, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of destiny.
“He was a minister in the church, an exceptional communicator and was remarkable in the way he solved problems,” said his brother Dr Maseko Manyise. “He was a sociable man and he impacted the lives of people through his sound advice and inspiration.”
The deceased was working at Fort Street Medical and Dental Surgery in Bulawayo. He went to Nyabata High for his Ordinary Level education. He joined the Army in 1998 and fought in the DRC war from 1999-2000. He trained as a radiographer during his stint in the Army. He obtained a Theology Degree in 2022 from the National University of Science and Technology. He retired from the Army in 2021 and joined the private sector as a radiographer based at Fort Street Medical and Dental Surgery in Bulawayo. The deceased who was a member of the Mutendi -Zion Christian Church (ZCC) is survived by his wife Rejoice Chihanga and two children, a girl (20) and a boy (15).
In another tragic development, Zimbabwe’s youngest chief, Oaheng Nare, known as Chief Marupi of Dibilashaba in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province, suddenly died in October 2024. He was 28 years old. Chief Marupi’s death came barely two weeks after a daring robbery at his homestead. The young traditional leader reportedly succumbed to an unknown illness at a private hospital in October last year.
Chief Marupi reportedly died after a short illness, though the exact nature of the ailment has not been disclosed. Chief Marupi’s death came just weeks after an armed robbery at his homestead, which added to the misfortunes surrounding him. The robbers made off with a newly allocated Isuzu double-cab vehicle, R2,700 in cash, and two mobile phones. The vehicle had been gifted to him by President Emmerson Mnangagwa just two weeks prior to the robbery.
His sudden death has raised suspicions among many, with speculations swirling that foul play may have been involved. Some netizens have voiced concerns, suggesting that Chief Marupi may have been poisoned or bewitched.
In November 2023, Chief Mukota (Newton Kachepa) died at Marondera Hospital from injuries sustained in an accident which occurred along the Marondera Musami Road when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving. Two other people died on the spot. Mr Kachepa was installed Chief Mukota of Mudzi a month before his death.
The Zanu PF branded vehicle in which Chief Makota was in travelled along North Road was badly damaged following the accident. When they got to the 24-kilometre peg near the Summerset area close to Marondera, the vehicle driver lost control and veered off the road. The car then smashed a pedestrian before rolling over.
In May 2022, LUPANE’S Chief Mabhikwa (39) died on a Sunday evening after his vehicle was side-swiped by a haulage truck at the 195km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway.
Born Vusumuzi Khumalo, Mabhikwa died on admission at Lupane’s St Luke’s Hospital. He was among the crop of patriotic young Zimbabweans who became a chief at a tender age of 19 in 2012. Chief Mabhikwa was installed in 2012 at the age of 19, six years after the death of his father, Edwin.
In April 2018, Chief Chisunga of Guruve in Mashonaland Central also died following an accident. He was 47. Chief Chisunga died in a road traffic accident on a Thursday night just before the Independence Day when he failed to negotiate a curve at the 30-kilometre peg along Guruve-Mahuwe Road.
The vehicle fell into a 100-metre gorge as a result.
Chief Chisunga, born Daster Chisunga, was on his way to his rural home in Mushumbi, Mbire, in the company of eight passengers when the accident occurred.
The passengers escaped with minor injuries and were admitted at Mvurwi Hospital. The chief was a key member of the Council of Chiefs and had been instrumental in the establishment of community conservancies. He was a member of the provincial assembly council of senators, representing chiefs. He was also the vice chairperson of Mashonaland Central Council of Chiefs. He became a chief on October 16, 2006. At the time of his death, he had two wives, 11 children and two grandchildren.
In August 2015, Chief Nyakunhuwa Jerera Wafawanaka Mashavave also died in a road accident. The accident happened on a Saturday at the Zaka turnoff near Buffalo Range airport in Chiredzi. He is reported to have lost control of his vehicle, a Toyota Hilux which veered off the road and overturned killing him on the spot. He was coming from Triangle, where he owned a sugarcane plot among his several businesses.
Wafawanaka Mashavave was the substantive chief in Zaka after he was appointed in 2006. He was 56 years old and left behind three wives and several children.
Other chiefs who also died in a car accident include Acting Chief Ndanga, Simon Charinda (60), who died in a car crash over the in June 2012 during a weekend after his B1800 pick-up truck rammed into another truck at the 18-kilometre peg along the Masvingo-Mutare Highway. The chief was coming from his homestead and the accident happened as he connected to the main tarred road. His car was rammed into by another pick-up being driven by Tasunungurwa Manyangadze, which had six people, including the driver. The passengers in the other car escaped with minor injuries.
In April 2013, Chief Chiweshe Joseph Chigariro of Chiweshe, Mazowe District, died after being stung by wild bees. Although he didn’t die in a car accident, however, what is of concern with Chiwef Chiweshe’s death is that he died just a few weeks after presiding over a case in which he fined some villagers for practising witchcraft within his jurisdiction. Mr Chigariro (82) died in April 2013 after he was attacked by a swarm of wild bees at his home in Chiweshe.
Mr Chagariro, who was an experienced bee-keeper himself, was resting outside his house on a Thursday afternoon. He was alone at home at the time.
A swarm of bees suddenly swooped on the homestead and attacked him. Neighbours only rushed to the scene an hour later. The neighbours subsequently ferried him to Concession District Hospital where he died. It later turned out that the bees also killed one of the chief’s dogs and attacked poultry.
The seemingly mysterious bees attacked the experienced bee-keeper barely a week after he sent five suspected witched to a prophet for cleansing. Previously two Glendale young girls had confessed to be part of a witchcraft group before implicating five elderly members whom they allegedly conduct witchcraft activities at night with.
Two young girls who are in Grade 5 and Form 2 respectively confessed two weeks ago that they are made pathfinders by elderly members of their witchcraft group each night as they go to graves where they mysteriously dig into graves before eating human flesh and drinking blood.
The matter was taken to Chief Chiweshe’s traditional court. Four women and one man have since been implicated by the two minor girls, and they all live at the Kia-ora farm’s compound. However, when the five appeared before Chief Chiweshe, they all denied the allegations. After denying the claims, Chief Chiweshe, born Joseph Chigariro, and his aide Bennett Mudimu were forced to call upon the services of traditional healers or prophets to ascertain whether the accused are indeed into witchcraft as alleged.
Upon being taken to Prophet Gabriel Lonemore Kambudzi (39) who was a member of Johane Masowe Nyenyedzi Nomwe yeNguwo Tsvuku, the suspected witches were allegedly ‘found guilty’ by the prophet who even accused the male counterpart of being a strong mubobobo user, a claim which the man confirmed. Chief Chiweshe’s death came at time when the five were reportedly supposed to appear in his traditional court for final verdict.
The questions surrounding the circumstances of these deaths, particularly the potential involvement of witchcraft, have sparked intense debate and speculation across the nation. In a society where traditional beliefs and practices are deeply ingrained, the notion that supernatural forces could be at play is not easily dismissed. The lack of clear answers and the perceived failure of authorities to address these concerns have only fueled the flames of suspicion.
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