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SITEKI – The Sifundza main household of Shewula Umphakatsi on Saturday introduced Inkhosikati LaMahlalela to the community members as the mother to the heir to take over the reigns as chief.

Inkhosikati LaMahlalela is the wife to the late Chief Mbandzamane. According to the senior member of the Sifundza main household (lusendvo) and brother to the late Chief Majongosi Sifundza, the Inkhosikati was introduced to the people of Shewula so that they were made aware about the decision that has been taken by the Sifundza clan on the issue of the replacement of chief at the chiefdom.

He said the Sifundza main household met yesterday afternoon as the official installation of the chief would officially take place tomorrow.

“The name of the new chief will be known after the main household has met. Thereafter, the name of the rightful chief will be submitted to the Ludzidzini Royal Council,” he said.

Stopped

When asked to shed light about Sibongo Sifundza’s blessing by Their Majesties being stopped by the Ludzidzini Council, yet his name had been submitted, Majongosi claimed that there was a faction that overtook the rightful procedure applicable when installing a chief.

He further alleged that he was the senior member of the Sifundza main household (lusendvo) and appointing authority hence the other faction was not recognised by the

Ludzidzini Council.

“I am the senior member of the Sifundza Umphakatsi and the appointing authority as a brother to the late chief. The other Sifundza faction share a similar surname but not members of the umphakatsi,” he alleged. When called on the latest developments, Sibongo Sifundza, the chief designated candidate whose blessing by Their Majesties was stopped, said he heard that a function was held over the weekend where Inkhosikati LaMahlalela was introduced to the people.

“The Ludzidzini Council is working on the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, early this month, chief Candidate, Sibongo Sifundza’s official blessing by Their Majesties at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence was cut short after the Ludzidzini Royal Council headed by Chief Mdlaka Gamedze summoned the Sifundza main household (lusendvo) for an urgent meeting at Nkhanini.

The Shewula chief candidate was among the 50 new chiefs that were officially blessed by His Majesty King Mswati III and The Queen Mother.

Informed

He stated that he was informed that there was another candidate that was submitted by my late father, Chief Mbandzamane Sifundza to the Ludzidzini Royal Council.

Ludzidzini Royal Council Chairman Chief Mdlaka Gamedze, in an earlier interview, said they advised the Sifundza household to go today to Nkhanini where the matter would be discussed.

The chief said there was something that did not go accordingly hence the impromptu stopping of Sifundza from being blessed by the King.