GOVERNMENT has said that Ntabazinduna traditional leader
Chief Nhlanhlayemangwe Ndiweni was dethroned procedurally because he was not
the legitimate heir to the throne.
Ndiweni, through his lawyer Dumisani Dube, last month filed
an application at the Bulawayo High Court challenging government’s decision to
dethrone him in November last year on allegations that his installation was not
done procedurally.
In his court application, Ndiweni cited President Emmerson
Mnangagwa, Local Government minister July Moyo, Chiefs’ Council president
Fortune Charumbira, Chief Shana of Matabeleland North provincial chiefs
assembly, Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini and Umguza
district development co-ordinator Tapiwa Zivovoyi as respondents.
He submitted that his removal was unlawful because he was
not given a chance to defend himself. Ndiweni’s installation is being
challenged by his brother Joram who claims to be heir apparent.
But in his affidavit, Local Government permanent secretary
Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu submitted that Ndiweni’s averments were disputable.
Churu said since Ndiweni’s appointment in 2014, Joram and
some members of the clan had continued to petition government to remove him on
the grounds that he was installed against the agreed Ndiweni customary
principles of succession.
“At one time Joram made a court application challenging the
appointment of the applicant as Chief Ndiweni under case number HC 1875/14.
These petitions are the ones which prompted the ministry to set up
investigation teams in 2014 and in 2017 as well as to refer the matter to the
Matabeleland North Provincial Assembly of Chiefs for recommendations to the
President,” Churu submitted.
“The applicant was lawfully removed from office as Chief
Ndiweni. Section 68 of the Constitution was properly followed and the applicant
was given the opportunity to be heard and to make representations during the
investigations.”
Churu said Ndiweni misrepresented to the investigation
teams that Joram was not interested in being a chief because he was living in
the United Kingdom and had no intention of coming back to Zimbabwe.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing. Newsday
0 comments:
Post a Comment