FORMER NATIONAL Healing, Reconciliation and Integration co-minister Moses Mzila-Ndlovu has had a brush with the law again after a prominent Bubi farmer Geneva Sibanda filed assault charges against him in the wee hours of yesterday.
Nqobile Bhebhe Chief Reporter
Mzila-Ndlovu, who was recently acquitted of armed robbery charges, is being accused of threatening to assault Sibanda on Monday evening.
The former minister and MDC deputy secretary-general signed a warned and cautioned statement before being released in the early hours of yesterday morning.
According to Mzila-Ndlovu, trouble started when he and several people held a meeting with Sibanda in Bulawayo’s central business district.
He said Sibanda informed him about his Bulawayo-based civic organisation called Nyanda.
Sibanda is the chairperson of Nyanda and his organisation seeks to push for the restoration of cultural norms and values as founded in each and every part of the country on how chiefs should be installed.
“He said Nyanda was focusing on cultural and economic justice and that was in line with my beliefs.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Then at one point he invited me to a meeting, but I hesitated to fill in an attendance register,” Mzila-Ndlovu said.
“However, months later word spread reaching my MDC party members to the effect that I am the vice-chairman of Nyanda and later the vice-president as Sibanda had crafted a constitution, which is similar to that of a political party.
“I found that mischievous and on Tuesday we called Sibanda and asked him to clear the air.
“However, during the meeting Sibanda attempted to assault me and hurled insults saying he was not a little boy who could be summoned to meetings to respond to issues.
“But he admitted making me vice-president without notifying me.
“However, he became violent and we could not leave the venue for close to two hours as he was right at the door.
“Some of the people in that room called the police and he also did the same.
“Between 9pm and 3am police were taking statements, but I was made to submit mine in the morning.
“However, to my surprise I was told the charge had changed from that of insulting someone to that of threatening to assault him (Sibanda).”
