Section 283: Appointment and removal of traditional leaders

Constitution of Zimbabwe

An Act of Parliament must provide for the following, in accordance with the prevailing culture, customs, traditions and practices of the communities concerned—

(a) the appointment, suspension, succession and removal of traditional leaders;

(b) the creation and resuscitation of chieftainships; and

removal of traditional leaders; but—

(i) the appointment, removal and suspension of Chiefs must be done by the President on

the recommendation of the provincial assembly of Chiefs through the National Council

of Chiefs and the Minister responsible for traditional leaders and in accordance with

the traditional practices and traditions of the communities concerned;

(ii) disputes concerning the appointment, suspension and removal of traditional leaders

must be resolved by the President on the recommendation of the provincial assembly

of Chiefs through the Minister responsible for traditional leaders;

(iii) the Act must provide measures to ensure that all these matters are dealt with fairly and

without regard to political considerations;

(iv) the Act must provide measures to safeguard the integrity of traditional institutions and

their independence from political interference.

AI Insights

Insight: Balancing Traditional Leadership with Modern Governance

This section establishes a hybrid system that respects traditional leadership structures while integrating them into the modern state framework. It creates checks and balances by requiring presidential actions to be based on recommendations from traditional leadership bodies, ensuring cultural authenticity while preventing unilateral political interference. The explicit requirements for fairness and independence highlight Zimbabwe's attempt to preserve traditional institutions as legitimate governance structures while protecting them from being weaponized for political purposes.