WATCH: ‘We demand an Inkosi now!’
KwaMbonambi community protests to end a 10-year tribal leadership battle.
IT has been a decade since the KwaMbonambi community’s tribal leader Chief Sibusiso Mbuyazi died and no successor has been deemed legally fit to take over his seat of authority.
At their wits’ end, a crowd of around 3000 this morning marched between Mzingazi and Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), urging the KZN MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube to put her foot down on the drawn-out process of appointing a new chieftain.
‘We have been without an Inkosi for 10 years now and we are running out of patience,’ said Free KwaMbonambi campaign spokesperson Lulama Cele Boughey.
‘We have a memorandum for the Cogta MEC and if she cannot make it, we ask for KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu to address us.
‘We are in desperate need of leadership.
‘People are squandering our wealth and our community battles with joblessness, poverty and stunted development owing to the vacuum of traditional governance.
‘Enough is enough!’
Widow favoured
The marchers called for Sithembile Mkhize, the widow of the late Chief Sibusiso Mbuyazi, to be given his position.
Last month, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that Sithembile Mkhize, may substitute for her late husband in issues relating to his personal monetary claims, but this did not have reference to the succession issue.
Their son, Zwelibhekile Sibusiso Mbuyazi had controversially been appointed successor in August 2006, but this was contested by the former Chief’s younger half-brother Mkhanyiseni Mbonambi who was instated in February 2010.
A protracted legal dispute ensued, involving Cogta and the royal household.
During this time, RBM has had to delay a payment of R30-million to the KwaMbonambi community since control of the settlement must be run through a trust overseen by the sitting chief.
‘We can confirm that the KwaMbonambi community, together with our three host communities, hold shares at RBM and they have not been able to receive their proceeds due to the unresolved leadership issues,’ said RBM General Manager of Communities and Corporate Relations, Fundi Dlamini.
Peaceful protest
While bus services were temporarily suspended in Mzingazi and RBM employees re-routed from the main road this morning, the KwaMbonambi SAPS and uMhlathuze Traffic Department said protestors were non-violent.
‘We made no arrests as there was no damage to property or injuries incurred,’ said KwaMbonambi SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Nkosingiphile Mthethwa.
‘Overall, it has been peaceful protest.’
