The president of the chief’s council, Chief Fortune Charumbira has denied allegations that he is a ZANU PF supporter. Said Charumbira:
I hear people saying that I am a member of Zanu PF but that is not true. I am not a member of Zanu PF but I identify with the principles and values of the ruling party.
Zanu PF fights to defend the freedom of our people and as chiefs, we subscribe to that. I am not in any Zanu PF structure and hold no membership card to the party.
Chiefs belong to everyone regardless of political affiliation and we are not political. There are people who vote for different political parties because they identify with their values but not necessarily on a membership basis.
Charumbira has been dragged to court by the Electoral Resource Centre over allegations of partisanship. The Constitution of Zimbabwe bars traditional leaders from taking part in partisan politics.