Zim GBC News | Arts and Entertainment
MUTARE — Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe has alerted traditional leaders that social media content creators are generating substantial revenue from videos of chiefs’ court proceedings without sharing profits with the institutions.
The warning was delivered on Saturday during the official opening of the Manicaland Chiefs Assembly Indaba, where Minister Garwe, represented by Deputy Minister Albert Mavhunga, urged Chiefs to demand their fair share from the lucrative online content being produced from their courts.
“I have seen a lot of videos and images taken at Chiefs’ courts. These videos and images are all over social media platforms, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and so on,” Minister Garwe stated.
“It is not all about creating excitement and fun. The content creators are making money out of that content taken from Chiefs’ court sessions.”
The Minister emphasized that many traditional leaders might be unaware of the financial value being extracted from their judicial work.
“I am saying this because I am not sure if you chiefs are aware of this. I am also saying it so that you know there is also somewhere you should be paid but you are not being paid,” he added.
The remarks highlight growing concerns about the commercialization of traditional court proceedings without corresponding benefits to the communities and institutions involved.
In his welcome address, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, reinforced the importance of maintaining respect for traditional leadership structures. He emphasized that Chiefs remain vital custodians of culture and justice, even as technology transforms how their work reaches the public.
The proposal is expected to spark broader discussions about how traditional institutions can balance cultural dignity with the opportunities presented by digital media, potentially leading to new guidelines on filming, accreditation, and revenue-sharing models.
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