By A Correspondent- A fierce row has erupted between a senior member of the MDC-Alliance for Ward 13 in Lukosi area under Chief Nekatambe in Hwange and his family members over the rightful heir to the traditional leadership from their clan.

The simmering tension that is threatening to spiral out of control initially started when a complaint was lodged by James Sibanda (Mumpande) who is MDC-Alliance’s secretary for mobilisation, Hwange Central contesting the appointment of Marko Mpala as village head of Lukosi.

According to family sources Marko is the rightful heir and James has no basis to claim the village headship role in Lukosi since he is not a direct descendant of the Bhalule family lineage.

“Marko Mpala is the rightful village head of Lukosi because his father was born from Bhalule clan while James is just a niece and is not a direct descendant of the Bhalule family lineage. Family members agreed to his (Marko) ascendancy. 

“This is affecting the family badly and James should just stick to politics and leave the family alone with his greediness of wanting to be a village head,” fumed a family member who preferred anonymity.

According to the family sources trouble started after James challenged the appointment of Marko as village head claiming he did not have the qualities for the office.

This was despite the fact that he had been legally installed by Chief Nekatambe as Lukosi village head.

“Marko is the rightful village head of Lukosi and James just wants to cause confusion and is using his powers as a politician to outwit Marko”.

When contacted for comment James said he was the rightful heir to the disputed Lukosi Village headship.

“I’m the rightful heir to the Lukosi Village headship. I am going to the police tomorrow (Wednesday) to be vetted so that I become a legitimate village head of Lukosi. I have a huge following which warrants me to be a village head,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marko could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.

-ManicaPost