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Chief Charumbira

Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
LEADERS of the group of spirit mediums and war veterans who intend to visit the Njelele Shrine tomorrow, yesterday met members of the Chiefs’ Council in Harare where they were advised to once again engage traditional leaders from Matabeleland South. Members of the Chiefs Council told the group that it was only the tradition leaders from the province who could grant them permission to visit the shrine.
The group, which calls itself the National Traditional Inheritance Kingdom, Chieftainships and the Governance of Zimbabwe, wanted to visit the shrine last Friday but was blocked by the traditional leadership from the province.

The president of the Chief’s Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, confirmed meeting the group. He said the chiefs made their position clear to the representatives of the group that they should engage local traditional leaders.

“Yes, we met them this morning and the summary of it is that we impressed upon them that as chiefs we are the custodians of culture and tradition and that anything that is done in the name of culture should be done in consultation with chiefs,” said Chief Charumbira in a telephone interview from Harare.

Matabeleland South was represented by Chiefs Nyangazonke and Masendu who are members of Parliament.
“From the meeting it was clear that previously the group did not follow procedure and we advised them to go back and consult the chiefs.

“We told them to go and consult the provincial chiefs’ council chairman, Chief Vezi Maduna who would then organise a meeting with all the chiefs from the province including Chief Masuku who lives near Njelele,” said Chief Charumbira.

He said the group leaders were supposed to explain the purpose of the visit and what rituals they intend to conduct at the shrine at the proposed meeting.

This, said Chief Charumbira, would clear the chiefs and local communities’ suspicions regarding the group’s intended visit.
Contacted for comment, the group’s spokesperson Cde Joshua Kativhu, said his group would be making its way to the shrine tomorrow.

“We met Chief Charumbira and his council in Parliament but we did not understand each other. Journalists were not allowed to attend the meeting to listen to our explanation,” said Cde Kativhu.

He said the meeting was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
“We will see what to do on Friday but what is certain is that we are going to Njelele,” said Cde Kativhu

He could not disclose the number of people who intend to visit the shrine.
Last year the group, made up of about 600 members, caused a stir when it sneaked into Matobo and conducted some rituals at the shrine 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.