THE government does not recognise the recent coronation of South Africa-based Bulelani Lobengula as the new Ndebele king, a Cabinet minister has said.
A faction of the royal Khumalo family, last Saturday, defied a High Court order and unveiled Bulelani as the new Ndebele king.
He was initially set to be sworn-in in March this year during a traditional ceremony at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
The event was stopped after another claimant to the throne, Peter Zwide-Kalanga Khumalo, secured a High Court interdict barring the event.
Local Government minister July Moyo on Friday maintained that there was no such a post as Ndebele king in the Constitution.
“Government is not aware that there is now a new Ndebele king,” he said.
“In any case, the constitution of Zimbabwe does not provide for such a structure. We will not recognise that.”
Even so, Ntabazinduna ‘Chief’, Felix Nhlanhlayemangwe Khayisa Ndiweni, declared Bulelani as the official monarch of the five houses of the Khumalos.
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He was speaking during King Mzilikazi commemorations at Mhlahlandlela on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
Ndiweni criticised the High Court for banning installation of Bulelani in March.
However, Bulelani’s rival, Peter Zwide-Kalanga Khumalo has questioned the involvement of Ndiweni in the installation process, arguing that he is not the real chief.
Ndiweni is embroiled in a bitter chieftainship wrangle with his brother Thambo who is based in the United Kingdom.
Ndiweni, who also used to live in the UK for about 40 years, returned home a few years ago and claimed the chieftainship following his father’s death.
