Chegutu lies about 108 km southwest of Harare along the A5 highway and railway line toward Bulawayo. The district was formerly called Hartley district before independence. It is in Mashonaland west Province of Zimbabwe. The town and district were renamed Chegutu in 1982 following Zimbabwe’s independence
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CHIEF NYAMWEDA
Their traditional name is Nyamweda. They belong to the Vazezuru tribe. Their totem is Moyo and Ziruwi is their praise name.
Chief Nyamweda died on 25th of August 1960, and his son Mariwa became acting chief on 1st of November 1960. He was then removed from this position on 31st of December 1963, and the area was left with a leadership vacuum. Important cases were referred to chief Chivero who was the neighbouring chief.
History
This group migrated from Guruuswa under the leadership of Mapesu and they settled at Nharira in the vicinity of Norton. Here they met Mhizha of the Mbire tribe who gave his sisters in marriage to Chidawarume, the third chief Nyamweda. Mhizha was then given an area to rule and was regarded a muchinda. The group was later moved by government to an area east of Marirangwe river where they lived until they were finally moved into Mhondoro around 1926.
Mushore who was the first chief had five sons and he was succeeded by Chidyausavi his eldest son. On his death, the fourth brother Matangira was supposed to be sent to the Rozvi to become their chief but refused to undergo several rituals and was sent home. It was then decided to send Chidavarume and Dzumbunu the sons of the first two brothers and Chidavarume was duly appointed. However, Chidavarume and the clan elders decided that Matangaira was their uncle and was supposed to be respected-hence Matangira was given a position Nevanji and became muchinda who received a portion of court fees and other privileges.
Villages in the area included Chibamu, Chigavazira, Chirichena, Chitawuro, Gukwe, Guma, Gwanzura, Gwini, Hiya, Kasiroori, Koroka, Kurwakumire, Mabika, Magarasadza, Makoni, Makwakwa, Mananzwa, Maponga, Mapupu, Mashaka, Mandizvidza, Mashanda, Mashayamombe, Mazivakufa, Mhizha, Mutoda, Mutukwa, Mudarikwa, Mugandani, Mudyambizi, Munaku, Munyongani, Murwira, Muringapi, Muringayi, Mushingaidzwa, Mushonga, Mutimuri, Mutumamombe, Nhamo, Nevanji, Nyakudya, Nyamayaro, Nyatsambo, Shekede, Tagarira, Tambawoga, Zengeya, Zimidzi and Zinyada.
Boundary
To the north the boundary is the Tribal Trust Land boundary with the Marirangwe purchase area. To the south Mupfure river is the boundary. To the west the boundary is Nyadyori river however their village line does not cross this river just south of Mafuka school extending towards Mazhuzha dip. It is claimed Mhizha village which occupies this area was centralised and this area has always been regarded as the Nyamweda area.
Functions of chief
Cases are received from all villages. Appeals were sent to the district commissioner. The chief was the land authority.
CHIEF MUPAWOSE
This family belong to the Batonga tribe, and their praise name is Mupamombe.
Mugwagwa Mupawose was appointed acting chief in 1953 after the death of his uncle Gomba and was installed as chief by the district commissioner in 1963.
History
Prior to the occupation the chieftainship was known as Ngezi. Although Ngezi had five sons his eldest son Zinyonga and his descendants appear to have dominated the succession. No chief Ngezi were appointed after the Ndebele raids and the Rebellion because these events scattered the clan to almost extinction. Mupawose, a junior son of Ngezi, who was regarded as muchinda of Ngezi settled in Chegutu district after the Rebellion. He received recognition as chief under the name Mupawose. Traditionally Chanakira had a strong claim, but Mupawose has been ruling his area and people since 1900. Chanakira suggested that he was unable to succeed to the name of Mupawose his young brother but if he was chosen as a leader he would apply for the name to be changed to Ngezi. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans Ngezi and Mupawose were living in separate localities.
Villages in this area included Chigogo, Chivhima, Dzapatswa, Gomba, Gwara, Katuruza, Kudedera, Mapolisa, Madziva, Matyabango, Matongo, Mapfumo, Mareva, Mbayiwa, Mbiriso, Muswe, Mubayiwa, Mudarikwa, Mutonga, Muponde, Mvemve, Ndori, Ngazimbi, Ngodo, Nhira, Nyatsanga, Pariyangiwa, Pasipanodya, Pfupajena, Shamu, Shayamano, Takawira, Zvinavashe, Petros, Chirenje and Ziwati.
Boundary
To the north the boundary was an imaginary line passing between villages Muchechemera and Kuderera and between villages Zvinavashe and Chiware. To the east the boundary is Nyamvanga river to its source and then following an imaginary line in a southly direction passing to the east of Mbayiwa village then to the west of Chibaya village then to the east of Madziva village, then to Hanan store on the Muzvezve river. To the south the boundary is Muzvezve river and to the west the boundary is the European farms.
Functions of the chief
Cases are received from all villages. Appeals were referred to the district commissioner. The chief was the land authority, and all the land is allocated through him.
CHIEF RWIZI
They are of the Shava totem, and their praise name is Mazarura. They belong to the Zezuru tribe.
Chari Rwizi was appointed a headman in 1952 under chief Mupawose when all minor chieftainships were abolished. He was re-instated as chief in 1962.
History
Their history is bit sketchy. Three brothers are believed to have migrated from Guruuswa. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans the group was led by Pasipamire who possessed the spirit of Chaminuka. Chaminuka played an important role in directing the Shona during the Ndebele raids. Pasipamire was betrayed and captured by the Ndebele. The Rwizi people are said to not have participated in the Rebellion. They lived at Chitungwiza near Beatrice until 1924 when their territory was taken over for European farms. Chief Rwizi and his people were then moved to Mhondoro. They claim the area was unoccupied when they arrived.
Villages in this area included Chipfuwa, Chitanda, Jaravaza, Gandidzanwa, Gonzo, Gwata, Gwembe, Jonga, Kambarami, Kanamandari, Kugara, Kwari, Manomano, Mupaku, Mapozho, Muchemwa, Mutizwa, Mude, Munemo, Nyakudya and Shamhuyarira.
Boundary
To the east the boundary is Nyundo river and to the west the boundary is Mvurachena river. To the north the boundary follows the imaginary line starting on the Nyundo river passing to the north of Gwembe village and St. Boniface school, eventually striking Mvurachena river just south of Muhwati village. To the south the boundary follows an imaginary line starting on the Nyundo, passing between Mutizwa and Gadzikwa villages, then Makahure school passing north of Machenjekwa village then between Gwata and Tafira villages striking Mvurachena river just north of Mushure village.
Functions of the chief
Cases are received from all villages. The chief is the land authority in his area.
CHIEF CHIVERO
They are Zezuru people. They belong to the Shava totem and their chidawo or praise name is Mwendamberi. The chief Mhishi Chivero was appointed in 1950 by the district commissioner. Mhishi was not a resident in his area prior to his appointment. He lived in Kadoma section of Mhondoro.
History
The group claims to have migrated from Guruuswa settling near Norton where Chivero the first was buried and where they lived until they were moved into the reserve by the government. They claim the area was unoccupied when they moved in. The eldest son of Chivero, Chiyanike, is believed to have murdered his father, thus the right to succeed fell to the second son Tavaziva but he declined to accept the throne. He gave rise to what is known as Mutibvu house or Chingwere house. They do not take part in succession but play an important role in communicating with the spirits of the clan and in the selection of a successor when the king dies. They hold a position of Nevanji.
It is alleged that Mutibvu always had an area or dunhu of his own where he tried cases of his children, but it was stopped by Mhishi when he was appointed chief. There are five villages of the Mutibvu family. Nyandebvu was chief of Chivero people during the occupation (arrival of Europeans in the area) and on his death Chimanda was appointed and ruled until his death in 1944. Marisamhuka son of Mudarikwa assumed the position of acting chief even before the death of Chimanda because Chimanda was too old to rule. The svikiro of the clan is alleged to have nominated Marisamhuka as the rightful successor. Marisamhuka is believed to have acted as chief until the appointment of Mhishi in 1950 though the records show that Denya the son of Chimanda was appointed acting chief in 1949.
Villages in this area encompassed Chakuchichi, Chikanga, Chikowore, Chirikure, Chitsine, Chivero, Chiwara, Denya, Dikito, Ganga, Gahamadze, Gofa, Goredema, Gweshe, Jonera, Kaseke, Kavera, Kawanzaruwa, Kumadiro, Koroka, Makoni, Mandanga, Maradzikwa, Mariwa, Marwa, Marube, Marufu Bure, Marufu, Maruma, Masawi, Mashayanyika, Matare, Matema, Matiwenga, Mawuto, Mbiswa, Mujoma, Mukanga, Mudimu, Mudzurawona, Matsvayire, Musara, Mutikani, Mutongwizo, Mugari, Munyonga, Mupfumira, Muranda, Musonza, Mutemasango, Mutimusakwa, Muzhuzha, Nyakudya, Nyandebvu, Nyanyiwa, Nyepa, Rungwere, Samoyo, Shoko, Simbanegavi, Takawira, Wanzwaremaka, Zimucha, Zindoga and Wakuhwamoto.
Boundary
To the north the boundary is the Tribal Trust land with the European Farms and to the south Mupfure river. To the east the Nyadyori river is the boundary with an exception at Mhizha village. The boundary leaves Nyadyori river just south of Mufuka school and follows an old track to Muzhuzha dip. To the west the boundary of the community is also the tribal trust land boundary with the European farms and Fort Martin. When Nyadyori river was fixed as the boundary chief Chivero lost seven villages to chief Nyamweda.
Functions of chief
Cases are received from all the villages and cases on appeal go to the district commissioner. The chief is the land authority, and no one can be given land without his authorisation.
CHIEF NHERERA
Their traditional name for the chieftainship is Nherera. They belong to the Sotho tribe. Their totem is Shava and the praise name for the men is Mvuramavi and for women is Gurundiso.
Mangwiro Nherera was appointed headman Nherera in 1952 under chief Mupawose and in 1962 he was re-instated as a chief in his own right. The Nherera chieftainship was established just after the Rebellion and lasted until 1951 when there was a general reduction of minor chieftainships.
History
The Nherera group claim to have migrated from Basotholand. After settling at Bulawayo for a short period they moved to Inyati river then to an area near Featherstone where they lived until the Rebellion. Their land was taken for European farms, and they were moved to Mhondoro. It was alleged by Gora and the followers of Chivero that Nherera had usurped the chieftainship of this area through dishonest means. Gora insisted he was supposed to be the chief of the Matanha area, so do a group of Chivero people claim that it is their area too. Nherera and Gora found them already in occupation. Nherera was a nickname given to Bangamuseve by the Rozvi, because it is believed he was an orphan.
A large group of villagers moved from Marondera into this area, and they settled around Chikara and they occupy the area from Showane village to Zvehama except for Chikara village.
Villages in this area included Adam, Chibikira, Chihoro, Chinemhute, Denga, Denheka, Gahadzikwa, Gandashanaga, Gandiwa, Gore, Gwatidzo, Madzima, Mugaridzana, Mandizvidza, Manjengwa, Mangani, Manomano, Maponga, Matarutse, Mateke, Muchinjikwa, Muchembere, Muderere, Mudziwarwo, Muguti, Mungate, Muraicho, Muriritirwa, Muzhazhe, Mutinhima, Nhandari, Ngubani, Nyika, Pahure, Rutizi, Shumbayawonda, Tsikiwa, Wazara, Zinyemba, Zvenhamho, Zvehama, Zvidzayi and Showane.
Boundary
The northern boundary is their common boundary with chief Rwizi- from Nyundo to Mvurachena source. The western boundary is their common boundary with Mupawose- from the source of Nyamavenga to Hanan store on the Muzvezve river. The eastern boundary is the Nyundo river and the small stream which runs between Matebe and Karanda villages.
Headman Murombedzi, Chief Mashayamombe
The traditional name for the headmaship is Murombedzi. The headman was regarded as muchinda of chief Mashayamombe. The group belong to the VaRozvi clan, and they are of the Moyo totem. Their praise name is Moyondizvo.
Headman Baya Murombedzi was officially appointed in 1951 but was a leader of his people since 1926. He was appointed by chief Mashayamombe and the district commissioner. The clan can trace their history to Saramwe who they allege was a descendant of the Rozvi Mambo. The next headman was Tazviwana who was the son of Saramwe. Tazviwana was succeeded by Tomutswa and Tomutswa was followed by Zanamwe followed by Murombedzi and the next in line was Baya who was the son of Murombedzi.
History
Baya had two brothers, Kawondera and Mapurisa. After breaking away from the main body of the Rozvi, Tazviwana and his followers settled on the Ngezi river where they met Koroka the ancestor of the Mashayamombe tribe. Koroka married a daughter of Tazviwana and the two groups maintained close ties together, migrating to the Mupfure and then to Chinhoyi and back to Ngezi and finally back to Mupfure in Mhondoro. Murombedzi’s area was given to him by chief Mashayamombe.
Villages in this community included Bangira, Bodo, Chitukwa, Danda, Dzvairo, Kawondera, Mazani, Mbuhlani, Mugaba, Murawuro, Murombedzi, Musinami, Mutero, Masawi, Muza, Muzvidziwa, Myalusi, Nicholas, Nyamayaro, Nyambuke, Pike, Samasuwo, Tazvicheka and Zaranyika.
Boundary
To the north the boundary is Mupfure river and to the south it is the imaginary line running from Mashayamombe dam on the Tumbgwi river to the Chirumunyasi river passing between the villages Murawuro and Shanduke. The eastern boundary is the Tumbgwi river or Chitundiro stream. The western boundary is the Chirumunyasi river.
Functions of the headman
The cases are received from villages. All appeals go to Chief Mashayamombe. The court sat on Tuesdays and Fridays. Land applications came to the headman and then the chief had to give approval.
Headman Gora, Chief Mashayamombe
The traditional name for the headmanship is Gora. This clan belong to the Zezuru tribe. Their totem is Gwai and their praise name is Mukuruvambgwa.
Mhike Gora was appointed acting headman on 9th of March 1964, but he claimed to be the rightful substantive successor. His brother Chigamba was the headman before him.
History
Mavhudzi was the first to hold the name Gora. He was succeeded by his son Muwunduri who was succeeded by his three brothers Chawasarira, Wanokorerwa and Marigumura. The next in line was Zino the son of Rerezo son of Wanokorerwa. Zino was succeeded by his full brother Dzvairo followed by Chirumuta, son of Benhura. Next to succeed him was Munako son of Mafuridze son of Munyongani, son of Musundasora son of Marigumira. Next on the throne was Chigamba son of Zino followed by Mhike also son of Zino.
History
Gora was a nickname given to one of their ancestors Mavhudzi by the Rozvi. It is alleged that while entertaining the Rozvi he composed a lyric which likened himself to a vulture (Gora) which does not settle until it spies a prey. The Rozvi understood him and agreed to give him an area to settle. The area lay between Muvande and Nyundo rivers. Gora claims to have granted Nherera the area east of Nyundo. When leaders were summoned to Salisbury/now Harare Nherera through some guile managed to procure the chieftainship of Matanha area. This resulted in constant fights between Gora and Nherera. In 1953 Gora was recognised as headman under chief Mashayamombe.
Villages in this area included Zinyama, Chimbito, Dzapata, Bere, Gora, Kabanda, Kwaramba, Manyere, Mbayiwa, Mudzingwa I, Mudzingwa II, Musarurwa, Muzanenhamo, Ngoroma, Tafira, Tsuro, Karanda, Katsambe and Tazvivinga.
Boundary
Gora claimed all the land east of Nyundo but Mashayamombe and Nherera have large concentrations of followers occupying east of Nyundo, to the north and south of him. Gora’s influence ended on an unknown stream between Karanda kraal and Matebe villages. To the north his area ended with Tsuro, Mubayiwa and Dzapata villages. To the east the boundary was European farms and to the west is Nyundo river.
Source: National Archives S2929/4/2-4
Research conducted by Dr. Joshua Kumbani, an established academic in Archaeology who has lectured at a number of universities in South Africa, Spain, and Germany.
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