Province weighs in on Siboshwa tribal dispute
The MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) in Mpumalanga, Mandla Msibi, has reiterated the department's position that the appointment of a chief is a privilege reserved for royal families and not government.
NKOMAZI – This is amid widespread unrest that flared up last Friday among members of the Siboshwa tribal grouping, claiming the position of the successor has to be endorsed or certified by the provincial department.
A source close to the royal house has explained the current situation as follows to Corridor Gazette:
Residents were protesting about the Siboshwa Tribal Authority’s lack of decision-making to appoint the next nkosi. Most members of the Siboshwa tribal grouping demand that Nicolas Ngomane be put into the position.
Ngomane recently came of age, but his uncle, Michael Ngomane, standing in as the nkosi since the death of his brother last year, is now reluctant to step down.
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According to protesters on the scene, Michael apparently is being accused of bad management of tribal affairs as well as selling land to foreigners without any accountability of the money, according to the source. This appointment needs to certified by Msibi.
The MEC was addressing a meeting with members of the Siboshwa royal family in Malalane last week. The meeting is part of Msibi’s commitment made during the department’s policy and budget speech last month.
The committee submitted a report with recommendations following extensive consultations with affected royal families plagued by disputes and claims.
He said a certificate of recognition will then be issued. “Our responsibility as Cogta is to implement the recommendations of the committee.
The first step is to inform the families about the recommendations and allow them to meet and to decide on who the successor should be. The next step is for members of the inner royal family to take a final decision and submit the name to the government for a certificate of recognition to be issued,” Msibi said.
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He expressed confidence that members of the Siboshwa royal family will cooperate with one another and support the outcome of their decision moving forward.
The MEC is expected to visit other affected royal families for the same objective soon, according to a statement by the department.
