Land wrangle forces family out
MDZANGWINI – A bitter land wrangle, implicating a senior traditional community leader, has forced a family of five out of their matrimonial home, rendering them vagabonds.
The bone of contention in the matter is that the land belonging to the now-stray Simelane family was sold to another family in a dubious deal that has borne bad blood between the warring families, and has divided members of the Umphakatsi’s inner Council.
This came about after a member of the inner council was accused, of inter-alia, siding with the current occupant of the land that originally belonged to the Simelane’s.
Khetsiwe Simelane, the eldest female child of the Simelane family, who claims to be now living anywhere she dares to, visited the Times offices, and was accompanied by her aunt
Nomhle Mafuleka to relate their ordeal.
They were armed with a court order, signed by Hhohho Court President J.G Magagula which orders Vusi Tsela, the current occupant of the land, to vacate it.
Tsela is said to be refusing to vacate the land, instead, he continues extending his house, thus defying the court order.
“I don’t know where to sleep. Sometimes I go visit relatives. Sometimes I go to friends, I am really suffering,” Khetsiwe related, almost in tears.
Adding, her aunt (Mafuleka) said: “Four members of our family have left to live with relatives in Ngwavuma, South Africa. They left with three minors.”
Represent
A senior member of the Ndzangwini Royal Kraal, Ngwane Hlophe – who represents the princes (Bantfwabenkhosi) of the area, confirmed the matter when asked to comment.
“All that you’re asking me about is true. A court judgment was issued, ordering Tsela to leave, but he refuses to leave. The problem is that some members of the inner council
are seemingly siding with him,” he said.
Explaining the situation, Hlophe said when Tsela arrived to buy the land, there was another inner council in place.
“The former inner council is the one which allowed Tsela into the land,” he clarified. “Now there’s a new council and this is the one that is acting in favour of the now displaced Simelane’s.”
Surprisingly, this matter has been presided upon by two different Court Presidents, in JG Magagula and D.P. Mamba.
The last Court President to hear the matter was D.P. Mamba, who subsequently wrote a letter to the police, imploring them to intervene in the matter.
In the letter (written in verbacular, since the matter was heard at a Swati National Court), President Mamba informed the police that he indeed issued the judgment, ordering Tsela to move out of the land.
Part of the letter dated May 10, 2022 reads: “LisoleNkhosi liyijubile lendzaba ngekutsi akaphume Tsela kulomhlaba kubuyele banikati bawo, yena Tsela ahambe ayocela endlunkhulu umhlaba.”
Translated to English, this statement reads: “The court president issued a judgment ordering Tsela to move out of the land in question so that the rightful owners may return. He should go to the royal kraal to ask for his own land.”
This publication tracked Tsela to get his side of the story.
Tsela, in a telephone interview responded: “I can only discuss land issues at the royal kraal (Indlunkhulu), not on the phone.” He then dropped the phone.
Consult
Asked to comment on the matter, Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said she was yet to consult.
She asked to be sent the letter that was allegedly written to the police by the court president through WhatsApp, which this newspaper did.
When contacted later, the police spokesperson confirmed to have received a copy of the letter.
Vilakati said she could not find the relevant officers at the Legal Office to clarify on the matter.
She then said: “May the affected people come to the police headquarters anytime, where they will be attended to, accordingly.”