This study was a comparative analysis to assess the effectiveness of traditional institutions during the periods 2002-2008 and 2009-2013 in Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. The mixed method approach was study employed by combining questionnaires with community members, focus group discussions with traditional chief`s council members and in-depth interviews with traditional chiefs. The findings indicate that traditional institutions were not effective in dealing with politically motivated disputes in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. However, traditional institutions were effective in dealing with socio-economic disputes and land issues. The study recommended that the governments, civil society and all civic organizations should acknowledge traditional institutions as lawful authorities for promoting peacebuilding initiatives in their respective communities.