THE family of the late Chief Khayisa Ndiweni of Ntabazinduna has accused Esigodini police of meddling in their affairs. RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER They dismissed media reports that Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni was arrested for damaging property belonging to Mavis Mthethwa, who is involved in a dispute with the chief’s older sister Lydia Mthethwa over the ownership of Khalanyoni Farm and cattle.
Esigodini Police Station officer-in-charge, one Inspector Mabhungu, declined to comment and referred questions to the Matabeleland South police press office.
In a statement, the Ndiweni family attacked Mavis and their sibling Douglas saying their actions were designed to have a bearing on the Ntabazinduna chieftaincy.
Douglas is challenging the installation of his younger brother as the new Chief Ndiweni ahead of him.
“Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Felix Ndiweni was not arrested and detained by the police at Hillside, Bulawayo, Esigodini, or any other police station,” the family said.
“Neither was he transported by any police force to any destination during the weekend of September 5 to 8.
“The chief did not leave for the United Kingdom as stated in a press article and continues to conduct his affairs at his residence in Ntabazinduna.
“The chief spent that weekend at his residence in Ntabazinduna with family members and elders.
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“On hearing that the police in Esidgoni wished to speak to him, he proceeded to Esigodini Police Station. On arriving at Esigodini, the police stated that it was about a complaint made by Mavis last October. She had made a complaint of malicious damage to property on her alleged farm in Esigodini and the damage allegedly had been committed by the chief.”
The statement said Mavis did not own the property which she claimed was destroyed as well as the farm.
“All of this was and continues to be the property of Lydia Mthethwa, who is the chief’s elder sister,” the family said.
“On the day in question, he was sweeping and cleaning the homestead while removing items from the garden that had been damaged and vandalised by Mavis and her group. The group had invaded Lydia’s farm and homestead while she was in the UK for a holiday in 2012.
“When they invaded, the homestead was fully furnished and the farm contained implements, particularly dairy equipment.”
The family said on October 17 2013, High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese ordered Mavis and her group to vacate the farm in case number 2108/13.
Summons were issued against her for damages involving property and cattle fraudulently cleared by Esigodini police.
“Mavis and her group were ordered to pay Lydia $69 528 and cost of suit. The assets Mavis and her group had are now being seized,” the family said.
“Of interest is that the property claimed to belong to Mavis and allegedly maliciously damaged by the chief has already been ruled to belong to Lydia and is already included in the $69 528 award ordered by Justice Takuva.
“It is unclear how the Esigodini public prosecutor wishes to overturn Justice Takuva on this point if he is still seeking a way to maintain Mavis’ allegation of malicious damage.”
They said they were surprised that Esigodini police were eager to vigorously pursue a $250 malicious damage the chief was accused of, but ignored a case of stocktheft he reported.
