The Ndebele leadership dispute is headed for the Supreme Court of Appeal as one of the two rival clans and the government challenge a High Court ruling entrenching King Makhosonke Mabhena II as king.
At the heart of the dispute is President Jacob Zuma's declaration that the Ndzundza-Mabhoko clan's King Mbusi Mahlangu be "deemed king" in a notice published in the Government Gazette in 2010.
This was contrary to the Nhlapo Commission findings on traditional leadership disputes, which confirmed Mabhena of the Manala-Mbongo clan as the only Ndebele king.
Last May Pretoria High Court judge Annali Basson set aside Zuma's decision saying that he acted outside his powers, effectively dethroning Mahlangu. Basson denied Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen, who was cited in the matter, and Mahlangu, leave to appeal the order.
Van Rooyen's spokesman Legadima Leso said they had petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal to overturn Basson's decision to deny Van Rooyen and Mahlangu leave to appeal. Msebenzi Masombuka, Mahlangu's lawyer, said: "The [court] process is at an advanced stage. All we are waiting for is a date for the matter to be heard."
Mabhena's offices are at Engwenyameni near KwaMhlanga, while Mahlangu is based in Emthambothini, Siyabuswa, near Pretoria.
Mahlangu stands to lose his R1.03-million annual salary and the financial benefits from the mass initiation ritual conducted every fourth year.
The Manala-Mbongo clan's initiation season was last year and the R200 fee paid by each initiate went to the royal coffers. Ndzundza-Mabhoko's initiation is set for this winter. Initiates pay between R250 and R500.
Princess Nomcebo Mahlangu has issued a stern warning to the rival clan to "stop provoking us" or face the wrath of the clan. She accused Mabhena of stirring trouble by challenging Mahlangu's status.
"We can fight. We are not afraid but we do not want any confrontation as there will be casualties on both Ndzundza and Manala," she said.
She said it was impractical for the two clans to have one king, as they were worlds apart in terms of culture and traditions.
Mabhena's younger brother, Prince Mbulawa Mabhena, said their rivals were manufacturing tension among amaNdebele for selfish gains.
"The homeland system gave [that clan] wrong legitimacy to do wrong things. Those who benefited from that system do not want to let go despite the determination by the Nhlapo Commission and the courts."
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