AmaXhosa chief dies in accident near Dutywa

AmaXhosa royal houses and the Eastern Cape traditional leaders are mourning the death of one of their own. Chief Mthetho Ngubesizwe Sigcawu – the uncle of AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu -- who died in a car accident near Dutywa last night.

Police said that Chief Sigcawu, who was one of the senior members of the AmaXhosa royal house and the king's council, died after his car collided with a truck on the N2 near Dutywa at about 7.30pm.

''He was travelling Dutywa to his home in Ngxakaxha when he got involved in the accident. He died instantly on impact. The driver of the truck was not injured. Chief Ngubesizwe was alone at the time of the accident,'' said Butterworth police spokesman Captain Jackson Manatha.

The death of Chief Sigcawu, 54, comes weeks after he was officially enrobed by his nephew King Sigcawu as the senior traditional leader of AmaGcaleka AseGwadana Traditional Council, overseeing five administrative areas. Sigcawu ruled the area for 25 years, was also the member of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.