Netshimbupfe Royal Family in succession dispute

The royal family of Netshimbupfe is divided over who should succeed the late Thovhele Vho-Vusani Munyadziwa Alpheus Netshimbupfe and the matter is already in the High Court for a decision.

The late Thovhele Netshimbupfe was born on 8 September 1951 and he passed away on 17 June 2013. Since his death, Funzani Netshimbupfe, who is not the son of the late Thovhele Netshimbupfe, has taken the matter to the Thohoyandou High Court, claiming that he is the rightful heir to the throne.

Funzani is supported by Mbulaheni William Netshimbupfe (ndumi) and Makwarela Constance Mutavhatsihoi (makhadzi) in his bid. He is opposing the decision taken by the chairperson of the royal council, Vhangani Cathcart Mulaudzi, and his team, who decided that Mulatedzi Netshimbupfe is the new leader .

The decision to choose Mulatedzi was taken on 20 July, 2014, and it was taken to the tribal council on 25 July, where they endorsed it.

Funzani, who is the son of the late Tshisevhe Edward Netshimbupfe, took the matter to court in August last year. He is arguing that he is the rightful heir to the throne because his late father, Tshisevhe Edward, was on the throne until the early nineties. He was removed after a finding by the Mushasha Commission. The commission also ruled that the late Thovhele Vusani Munyadziwa Alpheus Netshimbupfe was the rightful candidate and he was installed in December 1991, and he ruled until his death.

The matter was first struck off the roll in July last year.  However, the applicants, led by Funzani, brought the matter to court again this year. When the case eventually made it to court in June, it was postponed under controversial circumstances. This came after Acting Judge Colleen Collins recused herself from the matter, stating in chambers that there was someone who was trying to influence her.

Collins said that a male person had called her on her private cell phone, suggesting that she must meet the family that was representing the applicant before the matter was heard on the set date. The said caller approached her again at the Khoroni Hotel the night before the matter could be heard, where he allegedly introduced himself to her and continued suggesting that she must side with the applicant.

Acting Judge Collins said she could not continue presiding over the case. It was then decided that presentations by both parties would be made to the Judge President to appoint a new judge.

News - Date: 06 July 2015

Ndivhuwo Musetha

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