BY DUDUZILE NDLUKULWANI
POLICE in Bulawayo yesterday blocked a solidarity march organised by various political and civil society groups in support of Ntabazinduna’s Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, who is being hounded for allegedly refusing to recognise President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. The outspoken Matabeleland North traditional leader early this week foiled an attempt by suspected Zanu PF activists to grab his official vehicle after he had earlier blocked government plans to invade and parcel out land on Ntabazinduna Mountain.
Riot police yesterday cordoned off the Joshua Nkomo statue in the central business district to thwart the solidarity march, which was attended by former MDC youth secretary-general Discent Collins Bajila, activist Josphat Mzaca
Ngulube, members of the Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation and secessionist Mthwakazi Restoration Movement.
Ndiweni on Wednesday foiled an attempt to seize his vehicle by suspected Zanu PF activists, who accused him of attacking government and calling for the continued imposition of sanctions on Mnangagwa’s administration. The
Matabeleland North traditional leader is also on record describing the President as illegitimate.
Mthulisi Hanana, director of the Dumiso Dabengwa Foundation said the alleged invasion of Ntabazinduna Mountain undermined the chief.
“We must be clear with one another as sanctions have been there for decades and Zanu PF knew it, when they were campaigning in 2008 and 2018. Hence, it is ludicrous for them to turn around and blame sanctions on the chief.
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During the time of (late Rhodesian Prime Minister) Ian Smith, sanctions were there, but the country continued to prosper,” Hanana said.
He said sanctions were justified as long as Zanu PF does not change its course.
Sharlene Charles Ndlovu of the Mthwakazi Restoration Movement concurred: “We came here in solidarity with our Chief Ndiweni. As an organisation, we rally behind the chief, standing for human rights and in full support of the heritage and cultural preservation of the Mthwakazi nation.”
