Ndiweni reaffirms Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni's authority

The Ndiweni clan of Ntabazinduna has appointed an acting chief to oversee traditional affairs in the temporary absence of Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, who is currently in the United Kingdom, while maintaining that he remains the substantive leader of the area.

In a formal letter to the Umguza District Development Coordinator, the royal house confirmed that Wishes Ndiweni has been selected as Acting Chief with effect from 31 March 2026, following internal family deliberations.

The appointment, the family said, is consistent with the Traditional Leaders Act, which allows for such interim arrangements when a chief is absent from their jurisdiction.

"The House Ndiweni… has seen it appropriate and indeed in line with the Traditional Leaders Act, to appoint an Acting Chief, until such time Inkosi Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni returns," the letter read.

The clan described Wishes Ndiweni as a trusted figure who has served the family over many years and is capable of executing the responsibilities of the role.

At the same time, the royal house moved to dispel suggestions of a leadership vacuum, stressing that the chieftaincy of Ntabazinduna is not vacant. It said the succession process following the death of Khayisa Ndiweni was concluded between 2013 and 2014, resulting in the installation of Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni as chief.

The family further argued that attempts to remove him from office lack legal standing and remain under review by the High Court.

"Nhlanhla Felix Ndiweni is still the Substantive Chief of Ntabazinduna," the letter stated, adding that the clan's Electoral College of Succession has consistently identified him as the rightful leader in line with Amangwe and broader Nguni customs.

In a separate statement, Chief Ndiweni explained that appointing an acting chief is standard practice when a traditional leader is away from their jurisdiction.

"When a chief is not at his jurisdiction for some reason he is allowed to appoint an Acting Chief," he said.

He also revealed that government officials had previously engaged the family in meetings, asserting that the chieftaincy was vacant. The family, however, rejected this position, saying they had never formally received any lawful communication confirming his removal.

Chief Ndiweni maintained that under Zimbabwean law, the power to identify a chief rests with the chieftaincy's Electoral College, with the state's role limited to formal appointment.

"It is this identification… that is then sent to the appointing authority in government," he said. "So in short, when it comes to the appointment of chiefs, the President takes instruction from the chieftaincy clan."

The leadership dispute dates back several years. Following the death of Chief Khayisa Ndiweni in 2010, his son Nhlanhlayamangwe was installed and later formally recognised in 2014 by former President Robert Mugabe.

However, tensions escalated in 2019 when President Emmerson Mnangagwa removed him from office, directing the clan to nominate a successor. Ndiweni challenged the decision in court, arguing he had not been afforded a fair hearing, and the matter remains unresolved.

The dispute has also exposed divisions within the family, with his brother Douglas Ndiweni previously indicating that a new nominee could be presented to authorities.

But the latest position by the House of Ndiweni appears to contradict that stance, reaffirming that Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni remains the legitimate chief, with the appointment of an acting chief serving only as a temporary administrative measure.

The clan has consistently argued that the line of succession was settled decades ago, pointing to a 1981 declaration by the late chief naming his son as heir, as well as a will by his widow, uGogo uMasuku, reinforcing that position.

As the legal process continues, the appointment of an acting chief is expected to ensure continuity in traditional leadership while the dispute over the Ntabazinduna chieftaincy remains before the courts.