Senior Zanu PF officials in Matabeleland region are dissatisfied with the treatment they allegedly received during the funeral and memorial services of late Ntabazinduna chief, Khayisa Ndiweni, last year and a few weeks ago respectively.
Umguza MP Obert Mpofu told party supporters during a campaign rally at Ntabazinduna Community Hall that President Robert Mugabe and Vice President John Nkomo, among other senior party members including himself, were not happy with the way the party was treated at the funeral service of the influential chief.
“There were people claiming to know him better than everyone, causing confusion, we do not condone that.
“Even Vice President (John) Nkomo was not happy with the way things were handled. Khayisa was once an acting Prime Minister, so that makes him a very important figure,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu, who doubles up as Mines and Mining Development minister said the party was not informed of Chief Ndiweni’s memorial held two weeks ago.
“We hear that people were waffling at the ceremony about Puma and Zapu. We do not condone that. Do not allow people to come from the city and confuse you.
“They are trying to resurrect their failed political careers here in Umguza at your expense,” said Mpofu, in apparent reference to Puma president Wilson Bancinyane Ndiweni, the late chief’s younger brother.
“That was meant to be a State-assisted funeral. Chief Ndiweni never belonged to any political party, but now we are shocked to hear that people are claiming him. A chief does not belong to a family, but to everyone.
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“The way things were done did not make us happy. Even the national leadership is not happy. Chief Khayisa was a chief of chiefs.”
But, Wilson Ndiweni on Tuesday said: “I do not comment on statements made on political platforms. I also do not comment on matters concerning my family.”
