Leadership dispute heading to court

THE dispute over the leadership of the Mashabane tribe in Mhlabuyalingana has still not been resolved as iNkosi Sizabantu Gumede (93) is expected to take the matter to the High Court in Pietermaritzburg towards the end of the month for a decision.

This after the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) endorsed a decision to install Gumede’s son, Sipho as chief – a move contested by iNkosi Gumede.

This tribe has been embroiled in a leadership battle for months as some of the iZinduna have been accused of conniving with Gumede’s son to take over the chieftancy.

Family member and a senior member of the iZinduna, Sifile Gumede, said since the matter is going to court, little can be done to resolve the issue at this stage.

‘If he (Chief Gumede) had approached us as family members to sit around the table for discussions, we would have listened to him, but as it stands now we can’t do anything.’

Sifile confirmed that Sipho had already been sworn in by the Mkhuze Magistrate as the new chief, a step approved by Cogta.

‘We’ll have to wait and see how the matter unfolds, as we cannot stop him from taking the matter to court,’said Sifile.

Induna Khehla Gumede is of the opinion that the iZinduna should not allow themselves to become part of the battle.

‘I think this is a family matter. It is the chief’s family who have to decide the way forward.

‘It is up to them how they solve the matter. They can discuss it or resolve it in court, but in the interim we need to serve the community with integrity as we have been doing before and cannot choose who we want to work under,’ said Khehla.

‘The chief is challenging the decision on the basis that he only nominated his son take over once he joins his ancestors, not making way for his son while he is still alive,’ said Khehla.

Chief Gumede accused some family members and senior iZinduna of plotting to replace him as they claim he is too old.

Chief Gumede could not be reached for comment.

ALSO READ: Chief (93) furious about plot to oust him

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer