... questions over new chief’s introduction

PPEAK – It’s ‘Aluta Continua’ for a faction that has refused to accept the newly-appointed Ndzingeni chief, Prince Mavelebaleni.

Prince Mavelebaleni was recently appointed by His Majesty the King as the new chief of Ndzingeni to take over the chieftaincy after his late father, Prince Mmemo. However, like many other chiefdoms around Eswatini, Prince Mavelebaleni’s chieftaincy is being opposed by a faction of his family members, including his younger brother Prince Fana.

Days before the chiefs were appointed by His Majesty, the community of Ndzingeni was divided over who should be chief. One faction was in support of Prince Mavelebaleni while the other was in support of Prince Fana, who is also known as Gugulethu Dlamini.

However, date stamps that were used by the former chief are still being kept by senior Prince Phondo, who is also known as Luhhule Dlamini and this is done against the wishes of the newly-appointed chief.

About a week ago, Prince Mavelebaleni, who is also known as Wonder Dlamini requested that two of his subjects fetch three

PPEAK – Despite the fact that Prince Mavelebaleni is officially the chief of Ndzingeni, a faction is still in dispute about this.

The faction is of the view that Prince Fana, who is the brother to the chief, should have been the rightful heir to the chieftaincy. They said it did not make sense for the older brother to be the chief when the two were born from the same woman,

Prince Phondo summoned by Ndabazabantu, over matter.

date stamps from his uncle, Prince Phondo, a resident of Ndzingeni.

DeclineD

Instead of handing the stamps over to the chief, Prince Phondo is said to have declined to do so.

Prince Phondo is in favour of

Prince Mavelebaleni who is the new chief of Ndzingeni. (INSET) Gugulethu ‘Fana’ Dlamini being presented to the Ndzingeni community in 2021 as chief-to-be while holding his hand is Phondo Luhhule Dlamini and on the right is is the acting Chief Phosile Dlamini.

particularly since their father had only one wife.

They also accused Prince Tikontele of interfering in Ndzingeni matters. Prince Phondo is also expected to introduce the new Ndzingeni chief to the community later this month.

Prince Phondo noted that they did agree that Prince Mavelebaleni was the rightful chief because he was selected by people who were not from Ndzingeni, referring to Prince Tikontele. They said they would continue

Prince Fana for chief, while his (Phondo) brother Prince Tikontele is in favour of the new chief. Prince Tikontele is the chief of Lomshiyo under Ntfonjeni Inkhundla and also has subjects in South Africa (SA) where he is also a chief.

Last week,

Prince

Mavelebaleni following the relevant channels to dispute Prince Mavelebaleni chieftaincy, even if it meant taking the matter to legal authorities.

He also said that they had told the Liqoqo at Nkhanini how unhappy they were before Prince Mavelebaleni was officially named chief.

Noteworthy, Prince Tikontele is also not immune to chieftaincy disputes, as some residents of his community also do not accept him as the chief of the Lomshiyo.

reported Prince Phondo to Ndabazabantu, Masheshisa Kunene. Ndabazabantu is the King’s Liaison officer in the Office of the Regional Administrator. He also doubles as a mediator when there are disagreements.

After

Prince

Mavelebaleni