Chiefs walk out as VP Nkomo angers them

Vice president John Nkomo has angered 257 traditional chiefs and their spouses chiefs saying they should not be allowed to run mines under the controversial Community Share Ownership Scheme/Trust (CSOS/T).

Nkomo, on Friday said chiefs would abandon their core roles of overseeing traditional customs.

"I heard you are demanding a share in the empowerment programmes such as mining. But I say no to that as you will abandon overseeing customs as you will be spending much time in mines looking for money" said Nkomo.

This did not go down well with some chiefs who walked out of Large City Hall while others were heard murmuring. Charumbura only shook his head in disbelief.

Nkomo was addressing chiefs in Bulawayo.

Only on Thursday, through their leader Chief Charumbira chiefs had submitted recommendation to President Mugabe who said he would look into the issue.

Charumbia said chiefs have capacity to run mines.

Nkomo also attacked chiefs for being silent on homosexuality.

"Some people are calling for women to marry each other and man to marry another man but you are silent on this. What kind of chiefs are you" he asked.

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