Tinotenda Hove- A leadership shake-up is looming in the National Chiefs’ Council after 42 out of 45 chiefs in Masvingo voted to remove Chief Charumbira, born Fortune Charumbira, along with Chief Chitanga, born Feleni Chauke, and Chief Nhema, born Rangarirai Bwawanda.

The motion was tabled by Chief Nemanwa, born Fungai Manjiva, during a Provincial Assembly meeting at a hotel in Masvingo on Tuesday.

A source within the Chiefs’ Council confirmed the vote took place and said it represented a major development.

“Yes, the motion was tabled and it received overwhelming support. The vote was 42 out of 45 chiefs,” the source said.

Chief Chitanga also confirmed the development.

The process is significant because chiefs who proceed to the National Chiefs’ Council are initially selected through voting at provincial assembly level. Once they become members of the National Chiefs’ Council, they can then contest for election as traditional leaders’ representatives in the Senate.

The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira, and Zanu PF provincial chairperson, Rabson Mavenyengwa, a development that has sparked political speculation.

One source within the Chiefs’ Council questioned their presence at the meeting.

“The presence of Chadzamira and Mavenyengwa at such a meeting raises questions. Given their positions, people will naturally ask whether this was simply a traditional leaders’ matter or whether there was a wider political dimension,” the source said.

The reasons behind the attempt to remove the three chiefs remain unclear, but the timing comes as debate intensifies around Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, which critics have linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s political succession and tenure ambitions.