NATIONAL Healing co-minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu has lashed out at traditional leaders accusing them of failing to rein in former Zanla fighters linked to the invasion of the Njelele shrine in Matobo district last year. Report By Lloyd Mbiba, Own Correspondent
Mzila-Ndlovu told NewsDay early this week traditional leaders from Matabeleland South had reneged on their earlier threat to punish the invaders.
“When we met the chiefs last September, they unanimously agreed that the invaders had to be punished,” he said.
“But surprisingly, five months down the line, no action has been taken.
“This clearly shows that the chiefs are paid Zanu PF runners who will never punish their kith and kin.
“In fact, the reluctance to act proves that they are an extension of Zanu PF.”
But Chiefs’ Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira hit back and accused the MDC minister of seeking to politicise a cultural matter.
Charumbira said the traditional leaders were still waiting for their colleagues in Matabeleland South to submit names of the invaders.
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“If we get the names, action will be taken,” he said.
“Also take note that this matter will be up for discussion during the annual chiefs’ conference this week in Masvingo.”
Large groups of suspected ex-Zanla combatants invaded the sacred shrine on four occasions last year, ostensibly to conduct cleansing ceremonies.
The issue caused a storm with traditional and political leaders describing the invasions as politically-motivated.
Njelele is one of the oldest shrines in the country and is usually visited at given months of the year, when people from all over the country come together for ceremonies such as rain-making.
