Holomisa and cousin face off over headship
TRADITIONAL leader Phathekile Dilizintaba Holomisa is being challenged as head of the AmaHegebe tribe by a cousin who has questioned his seniority.
Holomisa, who is also the deputy minister of labour, came face-toface with Sindezama Zwelidumile Mdunyelwa, a former police colonel, at a public hearing of the Mndende Commission in Mqanduli last Friday.
Mdunyelwa told the commission he was the legitimate head of the tribe and royal family, not Holomisa.
“Dilizintaba is too junior,” said Mdunyelwa, further claiming he was a descendant of a more senior house within the royal family.
The two cousins are both greatgrandsons of Holomisa, the son of Mdunyelwa, who had 11 wives.
The fight is centred on the of the wives.
Holomisa, in response, said his great-grandmother was considered the senior wife in terms of customary practices of AmaHegebe and AbaThembu.
“Seniority of wives is not automatic, but depends on many things including if the woman is
seniority from a recognised royal house, payment of lobola by the nation and practice called ukudala where a husband in consultation and agreement with his royal family would identify seniority of his wives.
“Holomisa, my ancestor, applied the law of ukudala.
“He made my great-grandmother his senior wife or the main house and Zwelidumile’s the right hand house, second in seniority.”
When Holomisa questioned why Mdunyelwa wanted to ascend to the chieftainship while his older brother Nguberhamba was still alive, Mdunyelwa said: “Nguberhamba is in fact my younger brother.”
AmaHegebe elders expressed shock.
Lungisa Mdunyelwa adamant that Mdunyelwa younger than Nguberhamba.
Mdunyelwa later changed his claim, saying instead he wanted the Zanci headmanship led by Nguberhamba to secede from Holomisa’s jurisdiction. He also wanted the headmanship to be elevated to a chieftancy.
Commission chairwoman Dr Nokuzola Mndende said: “We will investigate the claims further and make a recommendation to premier [Phumulo Masualle].” — was was