SMALL to Medium Enterprises Development minister Sithembiso Nyoni has been accused of trying to use her political muscle to push for the appointment of a traditional leader from the Gwesela-Ndebele family in Zhombe.
by XOLISANI NCUBE
Nyoni, who is a family member, is accused together with Local Government permanent secretary George Mlilo of trying to impose George Mabheka as Chief Gwesela instead of Ndabezihle Wait Ndebele, who the family say is the legitimate heir to the chieftancy.
Sibanka Gwesela Ndebele accused Nyoni of dividing the family by trying to change the Gwesela chieftainship selection criteria from the Ndebele custom where the eldest son is the automatic heir.
“With all due respect, we take great exception to the wayward and unacceptable behaviour that Sithembiso [Nyoni] is displaying to the family,” Gwesela-Ndebele said.
“In our Ndebele custom, when a chief dies, he is succeeded by his son and we find it annoying that the minister is trying to defy our norms and values.”
Nyoni was unavailable for comment, as an unidentified person who answered her phone said she was busy.
The Gwesela family alleged she was using political muscle to influence the ascendancy of Mabheka to the chieftaincy ahead of the “legitimate” Ndebele.
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“We are aware that she has been trying to use her ministerial powers to influence the selection of George Mabheka,” a family member said.
“Being a minister is not a passport to breach our traditions and we will resist Sithembiso Nyoni’s efforts to destabilise our family by changing the chieftainship succession system.”
According to a letter written by lawyers representing the Gwesela family, Maganga and Associates, to Mlilo, the Local Government permanent secretary, the family said Ndebele should be the chief.
The letter indicated that the chieftaincy wrangle was previously investigated by at least three different committees, all set up by government and all ruled that Ndebele was the heir apparent to the throne, which fell vacant following the death of Nobody Gwesela in 1996. “Ndabezihle Wait Ndebele is the legitimate Chief Gwesela and the position has been spelt out by all the committees that have investigated the dispute in the past,” read the lawyers’ letter to Mlilo.
Mlilo on Thursday confirmed that there was a “misunderstanding in the Gwesela family” and promised to resolve the issue soon.
“I will resolve this matter alone and won’t be sending any investigation team there,” he said.
Mlilo also confirmed that Nyoni had an interest in the matter, saying “she is a family member and entitled to her view of the issue”.
