Gutu – The Mawere chieftainship in Gutu is in mourning following the death of Chief Kabias Chityatya, who passed away after a battle with prostate cancer. Chityatya, who was 90 years old, was installed as Chief Mawere in July of last year. His son, Kabias, confirmed his father’s death to Masvingo Mirror.
“We are saddened by the untimely death of my father,” said Chityatya. “He succumbed to prostate cancer and has not been well for some time. His installation was done whilst he was ill.”
Chief Mawere was buried last Wednesday at his home in the Mawere communal lands. He is survived by his wife, Sesedzai, and their ten children – eight sons and two daughters.
Onesmo Zhambe, a nephew of the late chief, described him as a “loved, empathetic” man who was skilled at counselling others. Chityatya was also a successful farmer and a devout member of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe.
Chityatya took over the chieftainship from Pious Mapetere, who served as acting chief for 11 years. Mapetere alleges that he never received any compensation from the government because of his perceived support for the opposition MDC party and the late Morgan Tsvangirai. Mapetere claims that the District Development Coordinator, Chiedza Tafirei, has vowed that he will not be paid his outstanding allowances.
Tragedy also struck the Zhambe family in 2021 when Nyasha Zhambe, a nephew of the late chief, died after allegedly being attacked by Zanu PF supporters in Gutu Central. The attack was reportedly motivated by Zhambe’s support for opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. Despite the suspects, including a prominent Zanu PF field officer, being known, no arrests were made.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Munyaradzi Warure has been removed from his position as the representative for Chief Mkanganwi (born Vengai Chapwanya). Warure, who had been acting on behalf of the aged chief for almost four years, was relieved of his duties on 1 January 2026 and replaced by Richard Chapwanya, the chief’s son.
Warure is accused of misappropriating funds intended for national chiefs. According to allegations, he squandered $1400 of the $1500 allocated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as Christmas presents for the chiefs, offering Chief Mkanganwi a mere $100. He is also suspected of extorting money and cattle from individuals, including those seeking to become Headmen. Investigations into these allegations are currently underway.
Masvingo Mirror has obtained video footage showing members of the Private Investigations Department (PID) from Harare returning the keys to a car that was already parked at Chief Mkanganwi’s homestead. The chief was also given his date stamp and chieftain badge, which Warure had been using.
A close family source confirmed that all houses with a claim to the Mukanganwi chieftainship were summoned by the District Development Coordinator (DDC), Bernard Hadzirabwi, on Monday, where the news of Warure’s removal was delivered. Efforts to reach Hadzirabwi for comment were unsuccessful.
When contacted for comment, Warure stated that he was “busy right now, so I cannot give any comment.”
Many villagers have expressed their satisfaction with Warure’s removal. John Mupanduki, a vocal villager, stated, “I am happy his deeds have finally caught up with him. A lot of villagers have been crying since his appointment as the chief’s representative.”
Mupanduki further alleged that Warure forced villagers to pay more than US$100 for the establishment of a clinic and a police base. He also claimed that Warure collected 10kg of maize from every villager and US$5 from each household, but the whereabouts of these resources remain unknown.
“A lot of families have over the years complained about him taking bribes from conflicting families over the appointment of a new village head, particularly the Mukarati issue where he caused arbitrary arrests of the opposing family members,” Mupanduki added.
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