CHIEF Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna is trying to
rile the Matabeleland region against Government by claiming that he is fighting
for the preservation of the sacred Ntabazinduna mountains when, in fact, he is
fighting in the corner of white farmers in Umguza, Matabeleland North, it has
emerged.
The farm wrangle involves two white farmers, a Mr Davies
and a Mr Crossy, who do not want beneficiaries of the land reform programme to
be settled in the area.
This comes as there are reports that a “solidarity” rally
is set to be held in support of the chief who is seen trying to fashion himself
as an anti-Government marquee, which may be critical in upsetting efforts of
unity.
According to sources at the Umguza District Administrator’s
office, Mr Davies is said to have approached Chief Ndiweni and asked for
assistance in blocking change of ownership which the chief has unsuccessfully
tried to do over the past year.
He has even tried petitioning the Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.
When Chief Ndiweni realised that neither the courts nor
Department of Lands could assist him, he then railed against the country and
called for sanctions against Zimbabwe as well as a host of other
attention-seeking gimmicks.
The drama king is seen as looking for sympathisers to
protect the white farmers, hence he is claiming victimisation.
“The long time occupant Davies is being evicted from the
farm following a determination by the courts in Bulawayo. The eviction is not
being done by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural
Resettlement.
“The engagement process should also be in light of the fact
that his invoking the narrative of Ntabazinduna may result in certain groups
coalescing around him in the belief that they are fighting for cultural
preservation.
“This could result
in the region coming to his support and confronting the Government,” said the
source.
Already there are rumours of a solidarity march with three
unnamed organisations allegedly said to be coming to support him.
The chief is reportedly insisting that the courts are part
of the Government and Government should do something to intervene.
Chief Ndiweni, with the aid of known anti-Government activists,
on Wednesday stage-managed an attack on himself by people he claimed to be
Zanu-PF youths in Bulawayo.
The chief, who claimed his assailants sought to confiscate
his Government-issued vehicle, was pictured pouring petrol all over the car and
threatening to burn it if anyone got in it. Chronicle
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