Masvingo chief distances himself from 'The Panel of Elders'

Chief Ndanga of Masvingo has distanced himself from the creation of the "Panel of Elders" launched by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare recently.

Chief Ndanga was fingered as one of the elders in the panel representing traditional chiefs.

However, Chief Ndanga on Wednesday said MDC-T wanted to tarnish his image.

"I was surprised when a relative told me that my name was on the list of traditional leaders who attended the launch. On the day in question I was busy at my farm repairing my tractor," he said.

Chief Ndanga suspected the people he was embroiled in a chieftainship wrangle with were behind the smear campaign.

"We are normally called for meetings through the Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Ministry and I was not notified of any meeting.

"It might be people I am involved in a chieftainship wrangle with who are behind this but for someone to use my name like this is uncalled for.

"The person should be dealt with accordingly as he has put my name into disrepute," he said.

Different groups, including the Organ on National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, have rejected the "Panel of Zimbabwe Elders."

Zanu-PF has also denounced the panel saying it was being used to pursue a regime change agenda in the country by the MDC-T.

A brainchild of Dr Leonard Kapungu of Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa, the panel has been described by Zanu-PF political analysts as a move by the MDC-T to hoodwink and confuse Zimbabweans in a bid to further the party's agenda of entrenching Western interests in the country.

Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, yesterday said many people could also have fallen in the same trap as Chief Ndanga.

"It is disheartening for people to use the name of individuals or the party like this. We have a situation now whereby many people could have had their images tarnished," he said.

The panel of elders comprises former University of Zimbabwe chancellor, Professor Gordon Chavhunduka, former National University of Science and Technology vice chancellor, Prof Phineas Makhurane, retired medical specialist, Dr Davison Sadza and Roman Catholic priest Fidelis Mukonori. Chiefs Ndanga and Mutekedza represent traditional leaders.