A member of the Ndiweni family says the clan has identified a candidate for the Ntabazinduna chieftainship.
Douglas Ndiweni told CITE that the family would soon submit its preferred nominee to the government for consideration.
“This matter has taken too long,” he said. “The family will present its candidate so that a substantive chief can be installed.”
Following the death of Chief Khayisa Ndiweni in August 2010, his son, Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni, was later installed as chief and formally recognised in 2014 by then-President Robert Mugabe.
But his appointment was contested within sections of the royal family, including by his brother Douglas, who raised concerns over the succession process and argued that it had not fully followed traditional procedures.
The disagreement intensified in November 2019 when President Emmerson Mnangagwa removed the firebrand chief from office. The government ordered the recovery of state-issued property and directed the Ndiweni clan to identify a successor.
Chief Ndiweni challenged his removal at the High Court of Zimbabwe, arguing that he had not been given a fair hearing. Although he later relocated to the United Kingdom, he has maintained that he remains the legitimate chief, citing his late father’s designation and backing from some family members.
Douglas now says the family on the ground believes it is time to move forward with a new nominee. The family had previously called on their elder brother, Jorum Ndiweni, who lives in the UK, to assume the role, but that option is no longer being pursued.
Residents say the prolonged impasse has weakened traditional authority in Ntabazinduna. Some have linked the absence of a substantive chief to rising illegal mining, unauthorised settlements and difficulties enforcing community regulations.
Kenneth Ndlovu, a senior resident, said there had been greater order during the tenure of the late chief.
“Right now, because there is no substantive chief, we are seeing more social problems,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni said he was not aware of any new developments.
“I can’t say much on the issue,” he said. “The family said no change.”
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