Royal succession row drags on

The royal rumpus over the Bhaca traditional leadership is far from over. Royals who had the high court rule in their favour, now say that Gingqi Dalubuhle Makaula, 17, who is Nokhwezi Makaula’s son, will never be their chief and head of the Makaula traditional council. Nokhwezi has been kicked out of the Makaula traditional leadership.

The Zulu royal family of Ncapai KaMadzikane KaZulu said of Gingqi: “He is not part of our future plan, in fact he has never been part of our plan and we have never recognised him as a successor of the traditional leadership of AmaBhaca.

“That was the reason that we went to court in 2010 to diminish any wrong perception and ambitions that he will ever ascend the throne. He is not even from a ruling house of Makaula, he is from minor houses,” said KaZulu royal spokesman Prince Zolile Makaula yesterday.

But Mngcisane royal family chairman Chief Fikile Makaula vowed Gingqi will lead.

“They had accepted the leadership of Mvumeni for over 20 years and now he is dead are singing a different tune. I am sure that his son Gingqi will be the successor,” said Prince Fikile Makaula, adding that the matter was still in court.

The battle started five years ago, when Nokhwezi’s husband, Chief Mvuleni Makaula of Lugangeni administrative area in Mount Frere died in January 2010. Mvuleni had been chief and head of the Makaula traditional council since 1989.

The fight was further complicated when two parallel royal families surfaced, both claiming legitimacy and sovereignty over royal affairs, including identifying leaders within the council’s jurisdiction.

The Mthatha High Court declared the existence of Mngcisane royal family to be null and void and the appointment of Nokhwezi as irregular and set it aside.

Gingqi was earmarked to be the successor of his late father by the Mngcisane royal family and his mother identified to be his regent.

But the court has nullified the existence of the Mngcisane royal family and declared the decisions it took to be invalid.

Nokhwezi’s leave to appeal was dismissed by Judge Phamakamile Tshiki on March 19.

The judge confirmed the appointment of Prince Ziphathe Makaula as the regent.

“We decided that Ziphathe be regent of a successor we are yet to identify. It is wrong and sinister to suggest that Ziphathe will Gingqi’s regent. Gingqi does not exist at all in our future plans,” said Zolile infuriated by reports that Ziphathe will act for Gingqi.

Zolile claimed that Nokhwezi’s husband was never recognised by AmaBhaca as their chief .

“He was irregularly appointed. He was an apartheid appointee. He was not appointed according to AmaBhaca customs. The rightful owner of the position was pushed aside because he did not toe the line of KD Matanzima and the apartheid regime,” said Zolile.

He stressed that they approached the court to correct the wrong done by the apartheid regime.

“Following the judgment, we are busy conveying meetings to identify the proper successor as in accordance with the custom of AmaBhaca,” he said.

But Zolile said despite the succession battle, the KaZulus were calling for peace and unity.

“Even those who have been working in opposition to us are invited to be part of our meetings and to contribute towards rebuilding the nation,” he said. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za