King’s coronation on cards amid legal battle
THE AmaMpondo nation is moving ahead with plans for the coronation of Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau.
Imbumba YamaMpondo, a cultural organisation with ties to one of the three feuding royal families, said the coronation was due to take place on October 12 at the Mzindlovu Royal Kraal in Lusikisiki.
The organisation’s national secretary Mduduzi Sibulali said it was initially scheduled for May 26, but moved for logistical reasons.
“The Office of the President [Jacob Zuma] has been advised of the postponement of this event.”
The coronation of Zanozuko, however, is at the heart of a royal dispute being challenged in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
Queen MaSobhuza, the widow of King Mpondombini Sigcau, and her daughter Princess Wezizwe, are challenging the decision that recognised Zanozuko as the king of all AmaMpondo.
Mpondombini died in 2013 without a male heir, and only daughters.
The Nhlapo Commission determined in 2008 that Zanozuko, and not his now deceased uncle Mpondombini, was the rightful king.
Zuma made the pronouncement in 2010.
Mpondombini challenged it and in 2013, the Constitutional Court ruled in his favour after it found Zuma had used the wrong Act in making the determination.
However, the court did not dismiss the finding of the Nhlapo Commission.
On May 6 last year, Wezizwe and her mother were granted leave to appeal a November 2015 decision that found that Zuma was not required to consult with the royal family before implementing the Nhlapo Commission’s recommendation.
The matter was heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein yesterday, where judgment was reserved.
Both Wezizwe and her mother and the followers attended the hearing and so too did Zanozuko and his delegation.
The kingship is also being disputed by Chief Nzululwazi Jongilanga Sigcau, Mpondombini’s other nephew.
Sibulali meanwhile said was going ahead.
“We are aware of the court issues that are pending. However, as Imbumba YamaMpondo, we are not concerned about those court processes as we believe it’s a matter between AmaFaku.
“Our literal interpretation of the ConCourt judgment of 13 June 2013 is that the determination of planning the Nhlapo Commission declaring Zanozuko as the king of all AmaMpondo was never disputed nor challenged by the applicants.
“The continuation of appeals after appeals by the applicants, we see this is delaying tactics and the abuse of our judicial system.”
He said as a build-up to the coronation, a cultural festival will be launched on July 21.
“This event will also be used as a celebration of the restoration of the Mpondo kingship after 80 years.
“In line with these celebrations will be the honouring of O R Tambo’s contribution to the liberation struggle as well as to bestow the Order of King Faku Bravery.”
Factions of the royal family aligned to Wezizwe and Nzululwazi have distanced themselves from the festival and coronation.
“We remain resolute that Nkosi [Chief] Zanozuko is constitutionally, legally and culturally not the king of AmaMpondo,” said Princess Stella Sigcau II, speaking on behalf of her brother Nzululwazi.
Wezizwe’s spokesman Chief Mandilive Cinani was adamant that Wezizwe was the crown princess of AmaMpondo after she was on April 23 2013 identified as such and led all AmaMpondo, with the queen as her regent.