adminProsper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
CHIEFS from Matabeleland South yesterday resolved that the group of spirit mediums and war veterans that want to visit Njelele shrine on Friday should not be allowed to visit the shrine.The traditional leaders, war veterans, 16 village heads from Matobo District and representatives of different cultural groups from Matabeleland region met at Chief Malaki Masuku’s homestead and resolved that the police should stop the group from visiting the shrine.
In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the traditional leaders accused the group, which calls itself the National Traditional Inheritance Kingdom, Chieftainships and the Governance of Zimbabwe, of disrespect and violating the procedures that should be followed when visiting Njelele.
“We are against this planned visit as it compromises our cultural values.
“We have resolved to write a letter to the officer commanding police in the province asking him to stop this group from visiting the shrine,” read the statement, which was signed by Chief Masuku and witnessed by Chief Bakwayi of Kezi.
The chiefs said the police should deploy officers to stop the group from visiting the shrine.
“No cleansing rituals are allowed at this time of the year at Njelele and these people should not come here and tell us what to do,” said the chiefs.
In an interview Chief Maduna of Insiza District, who did not attend the meeting but chairs the Chiefs Council in Matabeleland South also expressed displeasure over the visit saying the visitors were taking the traditional leadership from the region for granted.
“This is not good at all as these people are bent on fuelling conflict. How can they come all the way from their area to tell us what to do? We cannot do that in their territory because our cultures are different. Lokhu yikudelela sibili (They are disrespecting us). I will phone the provincial administrator Mr Midard Khumalo to find out what is happening,” said Chief Maduna.
War veterans from the province have also disowned the group saying former freedom fighters were not associated with such activities.
Matojeni Cultural Movement chairman Mr Albert Nyoni said the group had no right to bulldoze its way into the area without the consent of locals.
Matabeleland regional cultural co-ordinator Mr David Mhabinyana Ngwenya said he suspected that the visit was politically motivated.
“These people should respect other people’s culture. Culture should not be confused with politics as doing that will cause problems,” said Mr Ngwenya.
Mr Stephen Mabaleka from Umhlahlo Wesizwe SikaMthwakazi has this to say: “Lokhu yikuganga lokuxhwala sibili. Let us respect each other. We do not want these visitors here,” he said.
In a letter copied to Chronicle, the group’s spokesperson, a Mr J Kativhu invited all chiefs from Matabeleland region, war veterans, service chiefs, media organisations and Government officials to attend its traditional ceremony at Njelele on Friday.
Mr Kativhu has said the ceremony was meant to analyse and understand the country’s ideologies and what was not fulfilled when the country got independence.
Last year the group, made up of about 600 members, caused a stir when it sneaked into Matobo and conducted some rituals without the knowledge and approval of the traditional leaders in the province.
Their behaviour was condemned by the chiefs, war veterans’ leaders, the Government and the villagers who accused the clique of disrespect and causing tension between the people.
The chiefs had to organise a cleansing ceremony after the group’s unsanctioned visit in a bid to appease the ancestors.z
Online Reporter