By Kudakwashe Kutinyo

A new wrangle for the Mabhikwa chieftaincy has resurfaced following the recent colorful ceremony of Ms Zanele Khumalo who was temporarily installed as regent Chief last Friday.

Some family members have taken their dispute over Ms Zanele Khumalo’s appointment to the High Court, arguing that she lacks the qualifications to hold the position of Chief.

The family members contesting the appointment are arguing that, legally, there is no such position as a regent, and furthermore, John Khumalo was never officially removed or replaced as the Acting Chief.

In a shocking turn of events, John Khumalo and his supporters within the family made a startling claim that Nicholas Khumalo, the father of Vusumuzi and Zanele, was not the legitimate Chief Mabhikwa.

Chief Mabhikwa’s first three wives belonged to the Mabhena clan, which meant their children are auto-matically disqualified to inherit the throne.

Tradition dictated that the next Chief should come from a later wife, MaMkhwananzi. When Chief Mabhikwa died in 1983, Nicholas the son of his senior Mabhena wife took over the chieftaincy until his passing.

A total of 32 family members, represented by Dube, Mguni, and Dube Legal Practitioners, challenged the appointment of Zanele as Chief, claiming that the decision was unfair and unreasonable.

The family members named several respondents in their application, including Minister of Local Gov-ernment and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, Mtshane Khumalo (President of the National Council of Chiefs), Chief Siansali (Chairperson of the Matabeleland North Provincial Assembly of Chiefs), Zanele, and President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The family alleges that the government delegation, led by Chief Nkalakatha, was biased and had a con-flict of interest. John Khumalo one of the claimants, argues that Zanele’s appointment has created con-fusion, with two Acting Chiefs in the area. He argues that Zimbabwean law does not allow for a Regent Chief.

According to John Khumalo the dispute began in December 2009 when the High Court ruled on the proper process for appointing a chief, declaring him the rightful successor to Chief Mabhikwa.

“The Traditional Leaders Act and Zimbabwe’s Constitution outline a clear process for appointing a Chief, which has always been passed down through brothers in the Chief Mlonyeni Khumalo family, adhering to cultural tradition.

“The family tree shows no instance of a female Regent or Chief, the concept of a Regent Chief, as pro-posed by the Respondents, is not grounded in Zimbabwean law, as neither the Constitution nor the Tra-ditional Leaders Act recognises such a position,” argued John Khumalo in his papers.

Since the tragic death of Chief Mabhikwa (formerly Vusumuzi Khumalo) in a 2022 car accident on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, his family has been embroiled in a bitter succession battle.

He also added that the appointment of Zanele Khumalo as Regent has sparked widespread discontent, extending far beyond the 32 family members who have formally challenged her appointment.

“Appointing a female chief, even temporarily, is unheard of in our family and disrespects our traditions. We respect women’s rights, but this is a matter of cultural and family values, not gender equality.

“My niece, Zanele (the Fourth Respondent), is married with the surname Ndlovu. She lacks familiarity with our family’s traditional ceremonies, is detached, and her appointment contradicts the family’s wishes, potentially causing division within the family and community.

” Mrs Ndlovu would have to choose between leaving her matrimonial home in Jotsholo to move to the Chief Mabhikwa homestead with her husband, or relocating the Chieftaincy homestead to her residence in Jotsholo,” argued John Khumalo.