Binga’s Chief Kavula dies

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A prominent traditional leader in Binga, Chief Kavula, has died.

He was 89.

Osborne Sibanda said his father, born Muleya Nkamu Mukusi, died on Sunday at Binga Hospital after a long battle with lung and heart ailments.

“We are saddened by his passing on because on the 8th of September, he would have turned 90 years,” Sibanda said.

“According to the medical report that we got, he died from heart and lung complications not associated with Covid-19 though.”

Chief Kavula’s area of jurisdiction encompassed Lubimbi.

Crispen Munkuli, the Lubimbi councillor, expressed sadness over the traditional leader’s death.

He said at the time of his death, the chief was fighting for the fair treatment of his subjects, who will soon be forced to make way for the Gwayi-Shangani Dam that is under construction.

The dam is part of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project to supply water to Bulawayo and other parts of Matabeleland.

Lubimbi villagers accuse the government of failing to come up with a clear plan for their relocation.

” He guided us in so many ways as the community,” Munkuli said.

“Right now we haven’t made any breakthrough regarding our relocation plans to pave way for the Gwayi-Shangani project.

“He was supporting us as we tried to raise our concerns with those behind the dam project.

“So, his death has left the community depressed because he was our lead mediator in that issue. “

Chief Kavula was concerned that the relocation would alienate his subjects from their heritage sites such as natural springs and graveyards.

He was also worried that his subjects would be resettled in an area with poor soils and without infrastructure such as clinics, schools and dip tanks.

The chief will be buried at his homestead in Lubimbi on Friday. He is survived by his four wives and over 20 children.