The much-awaited Nhlapo pronouncements by President Zuma late last month have left tongues wagging in traditional leadership circles, with some hopefuls left high and dry and some leaders told only to rule until the present serving leaders have passed on.

In the former Venda homeland, where the kingship wrangle has been going on for many years, many had thought that the matter could have been laid to rest when Zuma announced that the kingship would go to the Ramabulana house. That seems a very distant objective as other contenders have not welcomed the report, with some saying it was cooked in order to satisfy the needs of politicians.

The Tshivhase dynasty, led by Vho Thovhele Midiyavhathu Tshivhase, has reacted with shock and disbelief and has come out with smoking guns after the Nhlapo Commission recommended that the Ramabulana lineage would announce the name of a king. During a meeting that was held at Damani Farm over the weekend, the family decided to review the whole report with the view to an appeal.

A committee was elected for the purpose of review and will reconvene on August 21, at which time they will advise on which steps to follow, which would include an appeal or court action against individuals still to be identified. Family spokesperson Vhamusanda Vho Watson Tshivhase said they had read the report with dismay and had realized that it had many flaws which could be challenged. He said it was only because of family squabbles that the family broke apart and each one of them ruled over his own group. He said the meeting was held in order that Vho Thovhele Tshivhase could give feedback on the report and that was when the family decided that there should be a review. “We have a strong feeling that the report could have gone in our favour if there had not been some unknown influences,” he said.

Tshivhase said the report was a total miscarriage of the truth that could be set free only through an appeal. “We know the truth but we will only wait for the recommendations from the elected committee before we decide which way to take,” he said. Tshivhase said the family was also worried about the short summary of the report they were given. “We need a full report that will show everything and not a summary that leaves much to be desired,” he said.

Asked for comment, Tshivhase said it was not for him to respond as the elders knew who the leader of the Vhavenda tribe is.

Meanwhile, there were wild celebrations at the Mphephu royal guest house last weekend, with the community welcoming their new king. During a function where many chiefs attended, King Toni assured all that he was not going to conduct a witchunt on those who had opposed his ascendency to the throne. “I urge all chiefs from all corners of Venda to come to the fold that we work together and bring the necessary service to our people,” he said during the celebrations.