Chief (93) furious about plot to oust him

CHIEF Sizabantu Gumede of the Mashabane tribe at KwaMahlabuyalingana, is furious about what he claims a plot oust him.

Gumede accuses some family members and senior izinduna of wanting to replace him as they claim he is too old.

‘It is true that I have told the Tribal Council Committee that in case anything happens to me, my son would take over.

‘I have even notified the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs of the fact.

‘But I was surprised when a group arrived at my house to inform me that my son is taking over because I can’t perform my duties as chief.

‘This angered the community, with some threatening to take the law into their hands against those who are trying to get rid of me.’

In response, Chief Gumede has obtained a court order against three of his senior izinduna whom he blames for being the masterminds behind the plot.

‘I have reported the matter to King Zwelithini and my lawyer so that this can be resolved very quickly,’he said.

But a senior council member of the Mashabane Tribe, Sifile Gumede, told the Zululand Observer that it was not true that they are trying to force the chief out.

‘I was part of the meetings he called to inform us that he wants his son to take over from him while he is still alive, because he is now 93 years old and can’t perform his duties.

‘The chief is the one who took us to Richards Bay to his lawyer, instructed his lawyer to draft a letter to say he is handing over the throne to his son.

‘But when he discovered he won’t be paid, the chief changed his mind and denies everything,’said Sifile.

However, another senior council member, Khehla Gumede, alleges that some council members have been holding meetings without the approval of the chief.

‘That is why he took the matter to court because he wanted to stop these meetings held without his knowledge. His son has not said anything about the whole saga,’said Khehla.

Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson, Musawakhe Mayisela, said his department received an affidavit from Chief Gumede, stating that he wants his son to take over from him as he is too old to perform his duties.

‘We acted on his request. What we did was to honour his wish,’said Mayisela.

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