129 CHAPTER 15 TRADITIONAL LEADERS 15.1 Traditional leadership (1) Traditional leadership under customary law is recognised. (2) A traditional leader is responsible for performing the cultural, customary and traditional functions of a Chief, headperson or village head, as the case may be, for his or her community. 15.2 Principles to be observed by traditional leaders (1) Traditional leaders must— (a) act in accordance with this Constitution and the laws of Zimbabwe; (b) observe the rules pertaining to traditional leadership and exercise their functions for the purposes for which the institution of traditional leadership is recognised by this Constitution; and (c) treat all persons within their areas equally and fairly. (2) Traditional leaders must not— (a) be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics; (b) act in a partisan manner; (c) further the interests of any political party or cause; or (d) violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person. 15.3 Functions of traditional leaders (1) Traditional leaders have the following functions within their areas of jurisdiction— (a) to promote and uphold cultural values of their communities and, in particular, to promote sound family values; (b) to take measures to preserve the culture, traditions, history and heritage of their communities, including sacred shrines; (c) to facilitate development; (d) in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to administer Communal Land and to protect the environment; (e) to resolve disputes amongst people in their communities in accordance with customary law; and (f) to exercise any other functions conferred or imposed on them by an Act of Parliament. (2) Except as provided in an Act of Parliament, traditional leaders have no authority, jurisdiction or control over land, except Communal Land, or over persons outside Communal Land unless the cause of action arose within the area of that Traditional Leader’s jurisdiction. (3) In the performance of their functions, traditional leaders are not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as may be prescribed in an Act of Parliament.