adminHerald Reporter
Two rival camps are fighting for the Mvuthu chieftainship in Matabeleland North which is currently being held by Silibaziso Mlotshwa.
Silibaziso is the eldest child of the late Chief Mvuthu, but her cousin, Saunders Mlothswa, is also laying claim to the chieftainship saying he has the support of the majority of the family.
Silibaziso’s supporters say according to Nguni customs, a chief begets a chief, meaning the late chief was supposed to be succeeded by his eldest child, who in this case is Silibaziso.
They say Saunders never lived in the Mvuthu area, but saw an opportunity when Chief Mvuthu died in 2014 and was succeeded by Silibaziso.
Saunders is said to have rallied support for his nomination as chief and brought in Mlotshwa relatives (some unknown to the family) from around Zimbabwe and at the Chief’s nomination meeting at the Hwange District Administrator’s office in 2014, he declared that Silibasizo was not eligible to be chief because she was a woman and unfit to rule.
Saunders was nominated as chief but Silibaziso sought an urgent court interdict against the proceedings and won the case at the High Court, the Supreme Court and Constitutional court.
Saunders Mlotshwa is son to the late Chief Mvuthu’s younger brother.
Silibaziso’s supporters also claim that Saunders is not fit for the role of chief as he was once accused of rape in 1994 under case number Cr350/02/94.
Saunders is said to have gone to live and work in South Africa in 1994 after the rape allegations and only returned home after Chief Mvuthu died in 2014.
“He claims that the late Chief Mvuthu’s eldest daughter is unfit to rule as she is a woman. It would be a travesty of woman’s rights and dignity and a return to the dark ages if this man were to become a Chief of the Mvuthu people,” said one of the Mvuthu subjects.
Saunders dismissed allegations that he was a rape suspect saying he would have been arrested if that was the case.
“That is a smear campaign. Why am I walking freely? I do not want to comment on the issue of the chieftainship and am referring you to a senior member of the family Dr (Effie) Sithole.”
Dr Sithole said: “The Mlotshwa family is the custodian of the Mvuthu Chieftainship. Consequently, the Mlotshwa family elders have always selected the Mvuthu Chief.”
The Mvuthu family elders choose the person that is going to be the chief by consensus. Chief Mvuthu’s role includes leading both the Mlotshwa family and larger community under the chief’s jurisdiction.
“The Mlotshwa family does not ascribe to the concept of a chief being selected by default. As an illustration, chiefs Xukuthwayo, Mvuthu and Nyangayezizwe were selected by merit and they were not first born default chiefs,” said Dr Sithole
At the last nomination meeting attended by three chiefs and the Hwange DA after the court ruling in Silbaziso’s favour, it was declared that Silibaziso was the first born offspring of a chief.
Saunders and his supporters, realising that he was not eligible on this basis, then started extolling his virtues and qualities to be a chief being a war veteran, ex-soldier and male. They said Silibaziso was young and inexperienced.
The presiding chief and DA then said unless Silibaziso willingly gave up her right to the throne, it would not be possible to nominate Saunders. The family was told to discuss the matter and report back to the DA with their decision.
Despite threats, bullying and other underhand tactics, Silibaziso has stood her ground and has refused to stand down. She vowed to remain in her position and to fight against misogyny.
“I am in my rightful place and I will not stand down,” she said.
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