Govt Defends Chief Nhlanhla Ndiweni's Ouster
The government has defended the dethronement of former Ntabazinduna Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni saying the move was lawful.
Ndiweni, through his lawyers Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, last December challenged his removal from the chieftainship by President Emmerson Mnangagwa arguing that proper procedures were not followed.
However, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Zvinechimwe Ruvinga Churu filed a notice of opposition challenging Ndiweni’s application. In his opposing affidavit, Churu said:
The applicant (Mr Ndiweni) was lawfully removed from the office as Chief Ndiweni. Section 68 of the constitution was properly followed, the applicant was given an opportunity to be heard and to make representations during the investigations.
Ndiweni ceased to be Ntabazinduna chief on November 30 last year and was subsequently stripped of all Government benefits accruing to him.
His removal followed recommendations by Cabinet and the Matabeleland North Provincial Assembly of Chiefs that he was not the rightful heir to the late Chief Khayisa Ndiweni since his eldest son, Joram has challenged Nhlanhla’s ascendency to the throne.
