MATABELELAND-BASED opposition political outfit, Freedom Alliance, has blasted King Munumutapa born Timothy Chiminya following his recent remarks that he will be visiting Matabeleland as a national king.
Chiminya was recently quoted in the media saying he would visit Matabeleland despite protestations. He also reportedly mocked the late Ndebele King Lobengula.
He is expected to visit the Njelele Shrine in Matobo, Matabeleland South province.
“Chiefs in Matabeleland must know, I’m coming whether they like it or not. I understand King Lobengula died in Zambia, so go and start in Zambia. I know what I can do (to) the Nguni people. Lobengula is a British King,” he said.
However, Freedom Alliance national chairperson Mqondisi Ndebele yesterday said Chiminya was being disrespectful of the Ndebele people.
“If the media reported correctly, by now, we should have heard a censure from both the ruling party and President and even a retraction of the offensive and sensitive statements attributed to the so-called Munhumutapa,” Ndebele said.
“The objections raised by the chiefs were not unfounded. It is within their expected duties to ensure local customs and practices are followed as per tradition. Chiefs have never barred anyone from anywhere from visiting sacred places and shrines.
“There are procedures that visitors follow. The procedures were not put by chiefs, but theirs is to ensure the procedures are adhered to on behalf of all and future generations.”
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He said communities around the shrines had witnessed their desecrations by individuals from outside Matabeleland.
Ndebele said Munhumutapa should adhere to rules “that they all know have been passed from generation to generation since time immemorial”.
“Protestations were made by our cultural leaders, but they were summarily dismissed as suspicious good for nothing people.
“Now Chiminya has let the cat out of the bag. All along, the authorities pretended to be interested in King Lobengula’s fate, yet it was meant to distort history and insult his people in the vilest manner,” he said.
“If, indeed, it were to be true that the king died in Zambia, how does that affect the restoration of the Ndebele monarchy or coronation of an Ndebele king? The government owes the Ndebele people an explanation.”
Ndebele said the claims made by Chiminya that Lobengula was a British King were surprising.
“History has recorded that collaborators with colonists in the past and present are today basking in glory and power earned through treachery to the African cause of liberation and dare insult one of the very few pre-colonial leaders who fought known battles against British invaders,” he said.
He also lambasted Chiminya for disrespecting traditional leaders from the region while insulting the Ndebele people by distorting King Lobengula’s history, desecrating shrines and violating customs in relation to shrines in Matabeleland.
