The long-running bickering among the Sigcau royal family on the sovereignty of AmaMpondo has taken yet another turn, with three royals claiming legitimacy as heirs.
Infighting within the royal family started in 1978 and has only escalated since the death of Eastern Mpondoland King Mpondombini Justice Sigcau in 2010.
Three royals are now fighting for control namely Zanozuko, Nzululwazi and Wezizwe Sigcau.
This excludes the claim by Western Mpondoland Ndamase Ndamase, who is disputing that his kingship be reduced to principal traditional leadership.
Now family members supporting the different royals have complained about the Eastern Cape government, which invited Zanozuko to ceremonies or to speak at government functions as the king of AmaMpondo.
In a letter to cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, Princess Stella Sigcau II, who supports her brother Nzululwazi, wrote: “This is not only unprocedural but is also misleading and infringing on the customary rights of the Mpondo nation and also undermines the rule of law in terms of the Constitutional Court ruling. Nkosi Zanozuko lost his bid to be the king in the Constitutional Court on 13 June 2013.”
Stella said Mpondombini challenged his unconstitutional and customary disposal as king of AmaMpondo in the Constitutional Court.
“If it is true that the provincial government invites Nkosi Zanozuko Sigcau as king to government events, giving him the benefits and protocol of a king and him making decisions on behalf of the kingdom, that undermines the Constitutional Court decision.”
She said that Mpondombini died without a male heir, but had two adult daughters Wezizwe Sigcau and Bekiwe Sigcau, born from his widow Lombekiso MaSobhuza Sigcau who is the regent.
“This means that the kingship moves to the next in line Nkosi Nzululwazi Sigcau ” said Stella.
Stella said they were shocked to learn Wezizwe claimed to have been endorsed as successor by her mother Queen MaSobhuza Sigcau.
Ayanda Fakum, speaking on behalf of Wezizwe and Queen Sigcau, confirmed that Wezizwe was on April 23 2013 identified as the crown princess and led all AmaMpondo with the queen as her regent.
“Wezizwe was identified as the crown princess. The Constitution of the country allows that women ascend to the throne. The Constitution supersedes the customary law and if the house of Thandizulu agrees, nobody else is entitled to oppose,” said Faku.
Zanozuko’s spokesman Ntsizakalo Ngalo maintained that Zanozuko was the rightful king.
“Even the Constitutional Court set aside the findings on Nhlapo , only the pronouncement that was made of wrong act,” said Ngalo.
Cogta spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam confirmed that the MEC received the letter and will respond “in due course”. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
AmaMpondo royals at each other’s throats
Infighting within the royal family started in 1978 and has only escalated since the death of Eastern Mpondoland King Mpondombini Justice Sigcau in 2010.
Three royals are now fighting for control namely Zanozuko, Nzululwazi and Wezizwe Sigcau.
This excludes the claim by Western Mpondoland Ndamase Ndamase, who is disputing that his kingship be reduced to principal traditional leadership.
Now family members supporting the different royals have complained about the Eastern Cape government, which invited Zanozuko to ceremonies or to speak at government functions as the king of AmaMpondo.
In a letter to cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa, Princess Stella Sigcau II, who supports her brother Nzululwazi, wrote: “This is not only unprocedural but is also misleading and infringing on the customary rights of the Mpondo nation and also undermines the rule of law in terms of the Constitutional Court ruling. Nkosi Zanozuko lost his bid to be the king in the Constitutional Court on 13 June 2013.”
Stella said Mpondombini challenged his unconstitutional and customary disposal as king of AmaMpondo in the Constitutional Court.
“If it is true that the provincial government invites Nkosi Zanozuko Sigcau as king to government events, giving him the benefits and protocol of a king and him making decisions on behalf of the kingdom, that undermines the Constitutional Court decision.”
She said that Mpondombini died without a male heir, but had two adult daughters Wezizwe Sigcau and Bekiwe Sigcau, born from his widow Lombekiso MaSobhuza Sigcau who is the regent.
“This means that the kingship moves to the next in line Nkosi Nzululwazi Sigcau ” said Stella.
Stella said they were shocked to learn Wezizwe claimed to have been endorsed as successor by her mother Queen MaSobhuza Sigcau.
Ayanda Fakum, speaking on behalf of Wezizwe and Queen Sigcau, confirmed that Wezizwe was on April 23 2013 identified as the crown princess and led all AmaMpondo with the queen as her regent.
“Wezizwe was identified as the crown princess. The Constitution of the country allows that women ascend to the throne. The Constitution supersedes the customary law and if the house of Thandizulu agrees, nobody else is entitled to oppose,” said Faku.
Zanozuko’s spokesman Ntsizakalo Ngalo maintained that Zanozuko was the rightful king.
“Even the Constitutional Court set aside the findings on Nhlapo , only the pronouncement that was made of wrong act,” said Ngalo.
Cogta spokesman Mamnkeli Ngam confirmed that the MEC received the letter and will respond “in due course”. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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