Beneficiaries are actors too.pdf - Southern Institute of Peace ...

purports to advocate and the reality on the ground. There are
some chiefs whose behaviour is at odds with Unhu; for example
canvassing bribery is unacceptable and uncultural therefore
against the principles of Unhu. Another challenge faced by the
traditional court system is to preside over cases in a way that will
not put the chief in trouble with the courts, especially cases to do
with witchcraft which the courts have been trying to suppress.
Finally, the Shona traditional court system excludes women in
decision making because they are regarded as minors who must
be represented by their husbands and fathers in matters affecting
them. In most cases, their opinions are not represented well.
However despite the outlined challenges and limitations, the
traditional court system is still viewed with high esteem and
decisions made by chiefs are highly respected.
Conclusion and recommendations
The implications emerging from the research are that the Shona
traditional chieftainship's role is to promote the Shona traditional
values. The chiefs perform this role using directive as well as
adjudicative methods of conflict transformation. The aspect of
directive justice manifests when chiefs sometimes use coercive
means to get criminals to accept responsibility for their action,
while the adjudication role is displayed when traditional chiefs
presiding over a case determine the outcome of the case; as a
result of this role, chiefs are still held with high esteem in
Zimbabwe.
One aspect that this research applauded about the traditional
chieftainship's role in conflict transformation is that it
accommodates and accepts that conflicts are inevitable parts of
all human association. It acknowledges that conflict disturbs
peace, and that its resolution involves taking corrective measures
aimed at averting disaster and restoring the peace that has been
shattered. The System recognizes that if conflict is suppressed, it
can result in stagnation and erode the bond of group solidarity
because of an accumulation of hostility. The traditional court
system is confronted with the task to administer justice at the
same time reducing criminality. Justice is identified with fairness
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