adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
THE Hobodo chieftaincy wrangle rages on with the families involved rejecting the proposed successor following a meeting with Mangwe District Administrator Felistas Gangada. Gangada met the Hobodo families on Wednesday last week during which Enock Ncube was appointed as the successor.
However, sources who attended the meeting said tempers flared as some family members were opposed to the selection criteria and complained that non-family members were allowed to participate in the deliberations.
Family spokesperson Samukeliso Glades Ncube said the Matsambane and Thela families, which have been eyeing the chieftaincy, accused Gangada of meddling.
“The district administrator superseded her authority and responsibility in trying to call our family together and advocating for non-family members to be given a vote in the selection of our family’s chief,” Ncube told Chronicle.
“The meeting was called by the DA and she proceeded to open the discussion, decision making and voting process to non family members.
“She is fully aware that our family is responsible for selecting a chief but has continued to ignore all traditional laws that are clearly spelt out in the Traditional Leaders Act.”
Gangada confirmed the meeting and that Enock Ncube was appointed chief but said she was not aware that the families had queries.
“I am not aware that the Matsambane and Thela families have queries over what transpired at the meeting as they have not communicated this with me,” she said.
“If they have any complaints they should put their concerns in writing and send them to me. As far as I am concerned I followed the correct procedure. I am yet to submit to my superiors the proceedings of the meeting and they are the people who can make a ruling on whether the procedures were not correct. I was not even aware that non family members participated.”
Gangada could not be drawn to disclose details of the meeting saying she was out of office.
Ncube said Gangada should stay away from the chieftaincy issue and leave the family to decide on its own.
“We will not consider the DA’s authority in this issue. We will meet as concerned families and select the rightful chief who is the son of Matsambane and heir to the Hobodo chieftaincy,” she said.
Ncube said the meeting with the DA deviated from the family tradition and ignored the family tree.
She said that Enock Ncube was a distant nephew in the family and his appointment was not proper.
Mangwe MP Cde Obedingwa Mguni said he had also received a complaint from the families over the alleged imposition of a new chief.
“The Thela and Matsambane families have sent a complaint that the DA imposed a chief on them. It has also come to my attention that a distant relative was appointed while the first born of the late chief Hobodo is still alive.
“People should be allowed to select their own leader and the correct procedures have to be followed,” he said.
Family members have been at each other’s throats since the death of Chief Simon Thela Ncube who died at the age of 80 in December last year.
Simon Thela Ncube’s first born son, Adolph Ncube was supposed to be appointed chief in February but his uncles and cousins declared themselves to be the rightful heirs to the throne.
derick.khumalo