Share

Legal bid to freeze Venda coronation

accreditation
Vhavenda King, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana helped by the Queen Hulisani Ramabulana to cut the cake of his birthday, while Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase (left) looked on and traditional leaders and community at large ululated. Picture: Silas Nduvheni
Vhavenda King, Toni Mphephu Ramabulana helped by the Queen Hulisani Ramabulana to cut the cake of his birthday, while Thovhele Kennedy Tshivhase (left) looked on and traditional leaders and community at large ululated. Picture: Silas Nduvheni

As President Jacob Zuma prepares to crown the king of the Vhavenda, Khosikhulu Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, a disgruntled group in the royal family has threatened to block the ceremony.

In a letter sent to the king’s legal representatives this week, those supporting Masindi Mphephu, who claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne, said they were ready to challenge the planned coronation.

“The planned coronation ceremony is totally inappropriate and premature as the review application on the president’s recognition of your client as the king of the Vhavenda is not yet finalised,” wrote lawyers Hamman Moosa Inc Attorneys.

They said the application for the review had been delayed by the Legal Aid Board, but the matter was now “nearly resolved” and should be ready for trial in December.

The lawyers set tomorrow as the deadline for confirmation that the ceremony would be postponed, failing which they would turn to court.

In 2010, the government recognised seven royal families, including that of the Vhavenda, following an intensive investigation by the Nhlapo commission of inquiry.

The court bid for the review is based on the findings and recommendations of this commission.

Earlier this year, Ramabulana was instrumental in the behind-the-scenes discussions to sway government to reconsider plans to move communities in Vuwani from Makhado into a new municipality that will incorporate Malamulele.

The traditional leaders struck a last-minute deal with government to have the demarcation decision reviewed after this month’s elections – which was rejected by some community leaders.

Also, through Dyambeu Investments, Ramabulana, as a major shareholder in VBS Mutual Bank (initially operating as the Venda Building Society) and the state-owned Public Investment Corporation – has seen VBS finance government’s black industrialists who formed part of the country’s digital broadcast migration project for up to R550 million.

Last month, Zuma agreed to terms with VBS for a refinancing loan on his Nkandla property.

The Nkandla loan – which was at the stage of the board’s approval – would enable him to settle the R7.8 million bill before the Constitutional Court’s repayment deadline of September 29.

On Thursday, Deputy Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Obed Bapela announced, on behalf of Zuma, that the ceremony to crown Ramabulana would be held on September 9.

Zuma was also expected to symbolically hand over the recognition certificate to Ramabulana.

Bapela said: “The coronation marks the restoration of the Vhavenda kingship following extensive work done by the [Nhlapo commission], which was constituted by government to look into the matters of kingships/queenships.

“The commission recognised the imbalances of the past and the way our people were robbed of their dignity and prohibited from fully practising their customs and traditions freely.”

The family’s representatives said anybody who was interested in the activities of the family was aware that Ramabulana had already been installed as “king of Vhavenda”. As a result, the coronation scheduled for September 9 was only a formality.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
20% - 103 votes
No
80% - 403 votes
Vote