'Miniskirts cause drought,' says Chief

CHIEF Chiendambuya from Headlands has called for the banning of miniskirts and the wearing of trousers by women, saying this has angered the gods who have unleashed droughts and diseases in Zimbabwe.

Speaking during the centenary celebrations of St Benedict's Mission in Headlands recently, Chief Chiendambuya, who is visually impaired, did not mince his words as he called for the church to enforce the ban.

He deplored the behaviour of women, especially mothers, who are letting their daughters walk semi-undressed, in short skirts and bare chests and backs.

"Imi. vanamhai, tinoziva ndimi mbariro dzemba, asi zvino muri kutoputsa dzimba pane kuvaka. Muri kutora midhebhe yaanababa muchipfekedza vana venyu, hatizvidi! Muri kuregedza vanasikana vachifamba vakaturika hembe pamahwindo, ngazvipere! Mwari haadi izvozvo, ndosaka ari kutirova neshamhu yenzara uye zvirwere zvisiri kunzwisisika.

You women, you are the backbone of the family; it is you who build the family. But it seems you have forgotten your mandate. You are now giving your daughters trousers and miniskirts to wear. That is immoral! God doesn't want that, that's why He is punishing us with recurrent droughts and incurable diseases," said Chief Chiendambuya, to applause from the thousands of people who attended the celebrations.

He said a woman's body is sacred and should be kept as such.

Women should also respect their bodies, added the chief.

"You women are an important species, hence you should respect your bodies by wearing dresses that cover the whole body, like the Roman Catholic nuns," he said.

A Roman Catholic Church parish in Mutare this week discouraged the wearing of miniskirts, trousers, back-outs and sleeveless tops by women. The parish also called upon every female to put on a head cloth (dhuku) during Mass. However, this did not go down with some people, who called it feudal and a 16th century idea.

Some welcomed the ban on indecent dress like guys wearing "drop-outs" and some ladies "showing" too much.

Chief Chiendambuya called on all people to respect traditional culture, which promotes morality and good values.

He also decried the use of family planning pills and other artificial family planning methods, saying that was not the plan of God.

"There was no sound of a baby crying during the proceedings here. Where are the babies? God wants us to be fruitful and multiply, not what you are doing today, having two children only. You will be asked to account when Jesus comes back," said Chief Chiendambuya.