High Court delays case over Xhosa chief

The Bhisho High Court decided on Tuesday to stand down a scheduled case brought by the Amahlathi Cri­sis Com­mit­tee‚ rep­re­sent­ing eight vil­lages near King William's Town‚ who say Luvuyo Maqoma is not their chief.

The Com­mit­tee‚ aided by the Legal Resources Centre‚ are asking the court to set aside the deci­sion of the Com­mis­sion on Tra­di­tional Lead­er­ship Dis­putes and Claims‚ and of the Eastern Cape Pre­mier‚ that recog­nises the legit­i­macy of the chief.

They argue their custom is not to have a chief‚ but rather to gov­ern them­selves through a sys­tem of elected chair­per­sons.

The LRC tweeted today that the judge stood the matter down in order to peruse the papers and be satisfied that the matter is unopposed.

The judge noted these were significant matters with significant consequences in which the office of the Premier has an interest‚ the centre added.