HARARE – A group of traditional chiefs found themselves in an embarrassing and distressing situation this week after being denied re-entry into the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, where they had been staying while awaiting the disbursement of funds promised by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during their annual conference.
The incident unfolded after hotel management informed the chiefs that they had already been formally checked out and could not remain on the premises without confirmed payment. The unexpected turn of events marked a humiliating end to what had been an extended wait for government allowances and Christmas stipends pledged to the traditional leaders.
The chiefs, drawn from several provinces, had been accommodated at the five-star hotel as part of arrangements linked to their conference. However, when the promised funds failed to materialise on schedule, they were reportedly left unable to cover the cost of continued lodging. By Thursday, security personnel barred them from re-entering the hotel, citing standard checkout procedures and a lack of authorisation for extended stays.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and visible frustration as elderly chiefs, some accompanied by aides, gathered outside the hotel entrance with their bags. Others attempted to seek shelter in common areas but were told this was not permitted.
RTG removes chiefs from premises as they await Mnangagwa’s US$1,500 Christmas payout
“We were assured that the money would be released promptly after the President addressed us,” said one chief, who requested anonymity. “Now we are stranded. Our provincial leaders have already left because they received their Christmas stipends at the venue, but the rest of us were told to wait.”
The chief said the treatment they received was demeaning, particularly given their status as custodians of culture and community leaders. “We are leaders of our people, yet we are being treated like vagrants. When we tried to sit in the waiting area and restaurant sections to rest, we were told that we were disturbing guests,” he said.
The standoff highlighted growing unease between traditional leadership structures and a central government facing mounting financial pressure. Zimbabwe continues to grapple with fiscal constraints, delayed budget disbursements, and limited cash availability, all of which have affected payments to various sectors.
Traditional chiefs have historically played a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s political landscape, particularly in rural areas where they wield significant influence. They are often relied upon to mobilise grassroots support for government programmes and the ruling Zanu-PF during elections and national campaigns. As a result, delays or failures in meeting commitments to them carry both political and symbolic weight.
President Mnangagwa had earlier pledged increased allowances and improved logistical support for chiefs, positioning traditional leaders as key partners in national development and social cohesion. However, critics argue that such commitments are sometimes announced without adequate budgetary provisions in place, leaving beneficiaries exposed when funds are delayed.
The Rainbow Towers Hotel, owned by the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), has in the past been linked to high-profile disputes involving accommodation arrangements and unpaid bills by government departments and affiliated institutions. The latest incident added to that history, though hotel management insisted the matter was handled according to procedure.
RTG spokesperson Pride Khumbula confirmed that the situation had since been addressed following intervention by government officials.
“Yes, we are aware of the matter,” Khumbula said. “The Ministry of Local Government instructed us to rebook the chiefs for an additional night, as the ministry had not yet completed the disbursement of the funds. The chiefs had initially been booked at different hotels, but they were later directed to come to Rainbow Towers to receive their stipends collectively.”
He added that once the issue was raised, corrective steps were taken. “The matter has since been resolved. The chiefs were re-accommodated, and they were also provided with lunch,” Khumbula said.
Despite the resolution, the incident has sparked quiet criticism among traditional leaders and observers, who say it exposed a lack of coordination between government departments and service providers. Some chiefs reportedly left Harare disgruntled, questioning why logistical arrangements were finalised before funds were secured.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the Minister of Local Government were unsuccessful by the time of publication. However, sources within the ministry acknowledged delays in processing the payments, attributing them to administrative bottlenecks.
As Zimbabwe approaches the festive season, the episode has renewed debate about the treatment of traditional leaders and the sustainability of government promises amid ongoing economic challenges. For many of the chiefs affected, the experience was a stark reminder that even long-standing allies of the State are not immune to the consequences of delayed disbursements and strained public finances.
Source- Byo24
