THE Ndiweni clan of Ntabazinduna has appointed an acting chief to fill the leadership vacuum left by dethroned Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni until he returns from the United Kingdom.
In a letter dated March 31, addressed to Umguza district development co-ordinator Tapiwa Zivovoyi, the clan announced the appointment of Wishes Ndiweni as acting chief, effective immediately.
“The House Ndiweni has chosen Wishes Ndiweni to be acting chief of Ntabazinduna from March 31, 2026,” the letter read.
“Wishes Ndiweni has served the house well over the years and is capable of achieving the tasks ahead.”
The clan stressed that Felix Ndiweni remains the substantive chief, arguing that his dethronement in 2019 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa lacked legal merit and is still before the High Court.
Felix fled to the UK after his arrest and release on bail.
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“The ‘attempted’ dethronement of Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni did not have legal merit,” the clan wrote.
“While this matter is still being addressed, the house has seen it appropriate to appoint an acting chief until he returns.”
The clan said the decision aligned with the customs of the Amangwe and Nguni nations.
The chieftainship has been characterised by controversy since Chief Khayisa Ndiweni died in August 2010.
His son, Felix, was installed and recognised by then-President Robert Mugabe in 2014, but some royal family members contested the process.
Recently, Felix’s brother Douglas Ndiweni told local media that the leadership vacuum should be resolved.
“This matter has taken too long,” he said.
“The family will present its candidate so that a substantive chief can be installed.”
Residents say the prolonged impasse has weakened traditional authority, linking the absence of a substantive chief to rising illegal mining activities, unauthorised settlements and challenges in managing community regulations.