600 people blocked from visiting Njelele

AT least 600 people comprising spirit mediums and war veterans were reportedly blocked by the police from entering Bulawayo on their way to Njelele Shrine in Matobo where they wanted to conduct some rituals on Saturday morning.

The members of the group, which calls itself the National Traditional Inheritance Kingdom, Chieftainships and the Governance of Zimbabwe, wanted to visit Njelele shrine in defiance of an order by the Chiefs' Council, which instructed the group leaders to first consult the traditional leadership from Matabeleland South.

In an interview yesterday, the group's spokesperson, Cde Joshua Kativhu, confirmed that their convoy was ordered to turn back when it arrived at the 24 hour police roadblock near Mahatshula suburb along the Bulawayo-Harare Road.

"We came to Bulawayo on Saturday at around 1am. A few of our members had arrived the previous day and were waiting for us at the City Hall. When we arrived at Mahatshula the police blocked us.

"The police officers at the roadblock said we were not allowed to proceed. They said they were instructed to inform us that President Mugabe was not happy with our journey," said Cde Kativhu who is fluent in IsiNdebele.

"They said they have been waiting for us for the past six days to ensure that we do not pass through. We tried to reason with them but they would not understand, insisting that they were ordered to stop us.

"We then said nxa kunjalo thina asilankani and we cannot disobey the President and the law enforcers. We had about 600 people and had hired several buses and cars for transport. We then turned back because we could not defy our leaders."

Responding to the issue Chief Malaki Masuku from Matobo said there was no way the group could have proceeded to the shrine without their permission and commended the police for doing a good job.

"We were told they were coming on that day and everyone stood on guard. We observed that armed police had maintained their presence on all the roads leading to Matobo to ensure they do not pass through. The police did a good job," said Chief Masuku.

"We have always said that no rituals should be done at Njelele at this time of the year except asking for rain. That is not a place for partying or playing. It is sacred."

In its meeting with the group leaders last week the Chiefs Council advised the clique to seek permission from Matabeleland South chiefs and agree on the programme and procedure to visit the shrine.

This was after the traditional leadership from the province turned down the group's proposed visit on the grounds that it was ill-timed and not properly organised.

However, Cde Kativhu said his group would not give up adding that their leadership would make fresh engagements with the national leadership to obtain permission to visit Matobo.

"We will see what to do from now on. We will re-engage the senior leadership in the country and discuss this issue with them," he said.
Acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu could neither deny nor confirm the development saying his office has not received the report.

"Such information has not been received so far," he said.

Asked to comment on the source of funding for their trips, Cde Kativhu said individual members made their own contributions for food and transport and could not be drawn to disclose how much was spent on the journey, which probably could run into thousands of dollars.

"I cannot tell you exactly how much we budget because members make own contributions from personal sacrifices. We have been preparing for this trip for a long time," said Cde Kativhu.

He said his members were being haunted by the spirits of the departed former freedom fighters who were buried  in Mozambique and Zambia during the liberation struggle, who want to be appeased.

Cde Kativhu said his group was not being treated fairly by different stakeholders and queried why they were not allowed to perform their ceremony in Matabeleland like cultural groups from South Africa that always come to the region for traditional programmes.

He said his group was only concerned about upholding culture and had no bad intentions.

Chiefs from Matabeleland South have insisted that cleansing rituals were not allowed at this time of the year at Njelele and regard the visit as disrespect to their authority and culture.

Different cultural associations and war veterans from Matabeleland region have also distanced themselves from the group's activities.

Last year the same group caused a stir when it sneaked into Matobo and conducted some rituals without the knowledge and approval of the traditional leaders in the province.

The chiefs had to organise a cleansing ceremony after the group's unsanctioned visit in a bid to appease the ancestors.