DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2017.v05i12.021

Pages: 1896-1903

This research examines the emergence of protracted social conflicts in Zimbabwe; it focuses on Gumbero/Chisina – Njelele chieftainship conflict. The Gumbero and Njelele conflict is more than 70 years old. The warring parties and the post - colonial government of Zimbabwe have been attempting to solve this conflict by employing various conflict resolution strategies; however, these strategies have not yielded much. The Gumbero group is demanding for the resuscitation of their chieftainship, whilst the Njelele group is against this scheme, they think that they may lose much. However, this article argues that conflict transformation strategies which promote empowerment of the previously disadvantaged group, reconciliation and mutual benefit can solve this protracted social conflict. The research is grounded on Azar Protracted Social Conflict theory and it is largely based on qualitative research method.