AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
THE battle for the throne of South Africa’s only Queenship is headed for the courts.
This follows a royal coup, staged by some to oust Queen-elect, Masalanabo Modjadji VII (16), who was expected to assume the throne once she comes of age.
Things took a turn for the worst on May 07 when a faction of the Modjadji Royal Council announced Prince Lekukela, the Queen-elect’s brother, as the new king of the Balobedu Royal Nation.
Mathews Phosa, a lawyer for the Queen-elect described those who announced Prince Lekukela as the king as “dissidents calling themself the Modjadji Royal House.”
Phosa said: “This announcement flies in the face of all historical, cultural and traditional facts which constitutes a clear deviation from the culture, tradition and customs and is therefore null and void from the beginning and has no force and effect in law.
“Their decision is contrary to the principle of legality. It does not accord with the prescripts of the law. It violates the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003. The Tolo Commission legitimately recognises the queenship status of Queen-elect Her Majesty Masalanabo Modjadji VII.
“President Jacob Zuma accepted and later approved the Tolo Commission’ Report on traditional leaders and subsequent to that President Ramaphosa announced and confirmed the recognition of Balobedu Royal Nation under the Queen-elect, Her Majesty, Masalanabo Modjadji VII.”
He said a substantive court application would be launched before the end of the week to protect the Queen-elect’s status.
He said should any members of the self-proclaimed council oppose this application then, the Queen-elect’s team will seek punitive costs against the individuals in their individual capacity and against their legal team.
