Paramount  Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people of Eastern Province has urged police to arrest anyone who will show up for this year’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony with exposed private parts.

The traditional ruler’s call comes barely a week after he decreed that no women will be allowed to do the mgubo dance with their breasts uncovered, an order which attracted mixed feelings. But in reiterating his earlier decree, the paramount chief said he does not want inappropriately dressed impis (warriors) during the traditional ceremony to be held at Mtenguleni this Saturday.

He said this on Saturday during a Nc’wala preparatory meeting held at Kampala village in Kasenengwa. “I do not want to see anyone half-naked during this year’s traditional ceremony.

The police should arrest anyone who will come for the ceremony with their breasts outside or the impis showing their private parts,” Chief Mpezeni said. The traditional leader said private parts are not meant to be displayed for everyone to see.

He instructed all his chiefs to inform their subjects that improper dressing will not be tolerated during this year’s ceremony.

The traditional leader also urged the police to arrest impis who attend the traditional ceremony half-naked. He said in the past, subjects used to celebrate Nc’wala naked because they did not have clothes but that times have changed and anyone who intends to attend the traditional ceremony should be properly dressed.

“I do not want to see anyone half-naked during this year’s traditional ceremony,” he said. The traditional leader said those criticising his move to ban bare breasts at the traditional ceremony are hypocrites because they do not show up half-naked themselves.

He said most people condemning the move cannot walk naked on the streets. Last week, the paramount chief announced that he does not want to see any woman with exposed breasts during the ceremony. He said his directive is aimed at attracting more Ngonis to participate in the ceremony, especially those who d