Staff writer

Deposed Ntabazinduna Chief, Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni may face jail sentence after he breached his bail conditions by participating in a protest held at the Zimbabwe embassy in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2021.

Ndiweni, together with other Zimbabweans in the UK, stormed the embassy protesting against the invitation of President Mnangagwa to the Climate Conference (COP26) scheduled for 31 October- 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ndiweni is on bail pending appeal against both conviction and a custodial sentence of 18 months for a case of damage to property after he destroyed property belonging to a villager who had resisted his order to leave the area in 2019.

High Court Judge, Thompson Mabhikwa on 28 August 2019 spelt out the bail conditions which included paying a deposit of $500 and residing at the Ndiweni homestead in Ntabazinduna. He was also ordered to report every Friday at Ntabazinduna Police Station until the matter is finalised.

A legal practitioner, George Chimombe said the fact that he left the homestead and travelled to the UK was enough evidence of breach of bail conditions.

“His travel to the UK was in violation of his bail conditions because he left his homestead where he was ordered to reside. The fact that he is in the UK means he has also breached the reporting conditions which he must do every Friday. I doubt that he flies every Friday to Ntabazinduna Police Station to report in line with his bail conditions,” said Chimombe, adding that such a breach calls for a warrant of arrest.

Ndiweni was dethroned after Matebeleland North Chiefs Assembly recommended for his removal following family wrangle over the chieftainship.