By Own Correspondent- A traditional leader here has called on government to equip kraal heads with smartphones, television sets and solar power for them to effectively fulfil on their mandate.

Robert Ticharwa Maruta who is popularly known as Sekuru Samba said the people they lead depend on them for information and it is not fair that they rely on outdated methods of sourcing for news and latest information.

He said:

“I urge the government to equip all traditional leaders with three key leadership assets like a smartphone for easy and cheaper communication through WhatApp, television sets and solar power.

Remember we are number six from President Emmerson Mnangagwa. There is the presidium, senators, provincial administrators, district administrators, chiefs, village head and us the kraal heads, so we are important in the running of Zimbabwe.

What the President says is finally handed over to the wide rural masses by us. But we rely on second hand information from our traditional beer gatherings, meetings and funerals.

Imagine our people are still donating towards Cyclone Idai because they are getting this information through the social media… So I need a smartphone, television set and solar power to help me keep in touch with latest news.”-StateMedia