By Dumisani Ndlovu
Gweru- Controversial Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna who yesterday made a surprise visit at the ongoing Movement for Democratic Change’s (MDC) fifth congress in Gweru took a swipe at the Constitutional Court and Chief Justice Luke Malaba describing his ruling on the 2018 election petition as worse than what his headmen makes when dealing with community issues.
Addressing MDC supporters, Chief Ndiweni questioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s legitimacy labeling him a court president.
“We have a courts President but in Chamisa here, we have a popular president,” said Chief Ndiweni.
Opposition parties have always accused chiefs of dabbling in Zanu PF politics in violation of the national Constitution.
Chapter 15 section 281 (2) of the Constitution reads: “Traditional leaders must not–(a) be members of any political party or in any way participate in partisan politics; (b) act in a partisan manner; (c)
further the interests of any political party or cause; or (d) violate the fundamental rights and freedoms of any person.”
But addressing MDC supporters at a jam-packed Ascot Stadium, Chief Ndiweni said he will serve everyone equally and his presence at the MDC congress was evidence to that.
“I am a chief and my role even in the constitution is to equally represent everyone regardless of their affiliation hence my presence here,” said Chief Ndiweni.
He trashed the ongoing political dialogue between ZANU PF and losing 2018 election presidential candidates without MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa describing it as a joke.
“The so-called political dialogue without a meditator is nonsense. It is like a boxer who says I can box and referee my match at the same time.
“A neutral third party who has Zimbabweans’ wishes at heart is requisite if this dialogue is to make any sense,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing the same gathering, MDC president Nelson Chamisa disclosed that he invited Chiefs Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira as well as the Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda to their Congress though they did not show up.
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