War vets are becoming a problem 'ngento zabo zamadlozi' says Mohadi

Kembo Mohadi, the Co-Home Affairs Minister on Friday castigated the group of war veterans, spirit mediums and chiefs who visited Matopos National Park and performed cleansing rituals. The large group, totalling about 568 people all believed to be Shona speakers, caused a stir on Thursday when it bulldozed its way into the park and conducted rituals without the knowledge and approval of the traditional leadership from Matabeleland South Province.
Its leaders claimed that their visit had the blessing of senior Government officials and said Ministers Mohadi and Francis Nhema were aware of their visit.
The group also claimed that Minister Nhema gave them game meat for consumption during the cleansing ceremony.
"I am not aware of their visit. They should not even bring me into their own stupid things. I never sanctioned their visit. These people are now becoming a problem ngento zabo zamadlozi," said Minister Mohadi.
"The issue of Njelele is not part of museums and monuments, which fall under my ministry. It is a cultural issue and the chiefs are the ones with powers to deal with such issues."
Minister Nhema could not be reached for comment.
It is the contention of chiefs from Matabeleland South that the "strange" rituals conducted by the group were undermining their authority as custodians of cultural values and that the development was likely to anger the gods and cause problems for people in the region.
The chiefs also feel the unsanctioned visits were responsible for drought, which has greatly affected the province.
Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo said the incident depicted the highest levels of disrespect for the law and said the police should take appropriate action.
"I spoke to Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri yesterday about such unacceptable conduct and he assured me that stern action will be taken against those involved.
"Zanu-PF has taken a clear position against such unacceptable visits and calls for the respect of the traditional leadership in Matabeleland South and indeed in all provinces," said Khaya Moyo.
Deputy Chiefs' Council president Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi also blasted the clique and described the visit as a sad incident that should be dealt with quickly.
"It is sad that these people had the guts to come here after we spoke so eloquently about this issue. Our leader Chief Charumbira is not around but we'll have to meet soon as the Chiefs' Council and address the issue. It is indeed a sad development," said Chief Mtshane.
In a statement the MDC also said conducting rituals at the park was a violation of cultural norms and values of people from Matabeleland.
"The MDC is disturbed and condemns the continued violation of the culture of the people of Matabeleland by some war veterans elements led by some chiefs from Mashonaland who on Wednesday invaded Njelele to conduct an unexplained cleansing ceremony," read the statement.
"We stand by the position taken by the traditional leadership in Matabeleland that this action clearly undermines their authority and is a cause for a serious national conflict. Such kind of actions have a potential of creating national instability and will certainly undermine the efforts of national healing and reconciliation."
War veteran Magwaza Hungwe said the rituals the group conducted were tantamount to Satanism and should not be tolerated. 
"What has happened is disgraceful and I wonder why we allow Satanists that claim to be genuine war veterans to do that. After the war in 1980 it was up to individual families to cleanse their members if one was haunted because amadlozi ethu ayatshiyana," said Cde Hungwe.
"People should not be fooled by this group. They might have gone to war but they are a group of cowards and their behaviour shows they are not true revolutionaries. Their activities are up to no good. They want to destroy the country."
The group, which recently visited mass graves from Zipra camps in Zambia, arrived in Bulawayo on Thursday morning and proceeded to the park where they conducted their cleansing ceremony.
It brought some stones and soil from the camps, which it dumped at the park.
Chiefs Mathema of Gwanda and Masuku of Matobo met the group when it was already leaving the park after conducting its rituals.
The chiefs tried to confront the group accusing it of invading their place. The chiefs said the police should have blocked the group from entering their territory.
The group made headlines early this year when it visited Njelele Shrine twice without approval and reportedly conducted unsanctioned rituals. War veterans and chiefs have roundly condemned the visit.