Chief Ndiweni wants to shut down ZRP depots in Ntabazinduna

THE Government is shocked and dismayed by remarks made by Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna last week that he intends to shut down the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services training depots in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North province.

However, the chief, in his latest remarks, has remained adamant that he will not withdraw his words and was moving forward with his agenda. In his quest to have the two depots closed, Chief Ndiweni has been circulating two petitions in his area of jurisdiction. The first petition is for the closure of the ZRP training depot to make way for a vocational training centre, while the second is for the expansion of Ntabazinduna on ZPCS land where the chief has already started allocating stands. If responsible authorities do not want the two depots to be closed, Chief Ndiweni has said, half of the recruits should be from Ntabazinduna.

Umguza legislator Obert Mpofu called the chief to order and ordered him to stop pursuing anti-developmental agendas. Mpofu, who is also the Minister of Macro-economic Planning and Investment Promotion, said Chief Ndiweni should stop calling himself a chief because the Ndiweni chieftaincy was still in the courts.

"The Government is shocked that how can those words come from a traditional leader. He is not even a chief. His chieftaincy is being disputed. Those are national programmes which have benefited the whole nation. He has not been around hence he cannot just come and start causing some problems. I don't know whose interest he is pursuing," said Mpofu.

"It is unfortunate because we will not accept such archaic views that do not hold water. As the leader of that area, the Government asked me to explain such views and I had to discuss the matter with some ministers and everyone is just shocked. No-one was expecting those anti-developmental views to come from a traditional leader. The Government is at a loss of words but I want to assure people that they must not lose sleep over such ill-advised views."

The vice-president of the chief's council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo said the matter has not yet reached the council. He, however, said the matter was up to the people of Ntabazinduna.

"I just read the matter on your paper and it seems to be very sensitive. As for the council, it has not been appraised hence I cannot give a comment on that. I, however, believe that it is up to the people of Ntabazinduna to solve the matter."

Chief Ndiweni said those who are against his view must produce evidence to show that "people of Ntabazinduna and surrounding areas have benefited from the training depots".

"People must answer my simple question," said Chief Ndiweni, adding: "How many children from Ntabazinduna have benefited from these depots? People must not issue emotional and political statements but they must show us the number of people from Ntabazinduna and surrounding areas that have benefited from the training depots. If they want to silence me, they have to produce such evidence and if they fail to do so, I will always remind them and my words will remain.

"No-one doubts or questions that the depots are developmental and have done extremely well for the country. I do work with Central Government and I will continue working with the Central Government. But, these institutions must not be like an island rather locals must benefit a lot."

The Ndiweni chieftaincy wrangle spilled to the High Court after Chief Khayisa's widow, Agnes, crossed swords with her first and second born sons, Jorum and Douglas by convincing the Government to install her last born son, Nhlanhla.