Tribal authority questions 105-year-old Inkosi's controversial reinstatement

MEMBERS of the KwaMashabane Tribal Authority, in KwaMhlabuyalingana, aren't satisfied by the reinstatement of a centenarian traditional leader.

Some members said that the decision by the provincial government to reinstate 105-year-old Inkosi Sizabantu Gumede is confusing.

The ageing traditional leader of the Gumede clan apparently abdicated his throne in 2015, citing his advanced age. His son, Inkosi Sipho Gumede (56), then took over the throne.

However, earlier this year, the KwaZulu-Natal government took a decision to reinstate Gumede senior. The KwaMashabane Tribal Authority has vast land, and has more than 15 villages that fall under it with that are led by izinduna.

The spokesperson of the KwaMashabane Tribal Authority, Philani Gumede, said when Inkosi asked to relinquish the throne, all the traditional leaders that fall under the authority were called into a meeting.All the traditional houses, uMbango, Izicethe, Izisongo and Mgobeni, all agreed with Inkosi's decision.

Gumede said they were surprised when they heard that Gumede senior had been reinstated.

"Representatives from the department (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) came to inform us that the previous Inkosi will be reinstated. They said they received a letter from the family. It leaves us confused because which family? As the people who wrote the letter are not availing themselves. The government did not consult us; they came to tell us that they are reinstating the previous Inkosi to the throne. 

"When the current administration of the KwaZulu-Natal government took over, they didn't investigate this matter. They just accepted the letter," said Gumede.

Gumede further claimed that the Inkosi is not fit to lead, as he's of advanced age.

"Inkosi had already stated that he is not able to execute his duties because he is not fit. Now it's even worse. "Mentally, Inkosi is now like a child," said Gumede.

Gumede blamed izinduna who were benefiting during Gumede's previous reign for having a hand in the reinstatement.

"The majority of the people in the traditional council were benefiting the most when the Inkosi was in charge. Inkosi was unable to go to meetings, and they were the ones who were attending them. They even travelled overseas. Right now they've barred the family from having access to Inkosi. They expelled the izinduna from the family. There are six izinduna; they've given dismissal letters."

The spokesperson of the KZN government, Bongani Gina, said it was Gumede senior who asked that his son be removed from the throne."Inkosi said he didn't intend to appoint his son as Inkosi, but he was appointing him as his right-hand man. He didn't intend to appoint another Inkosi while he was still alive."

Gina said the matter was discussed in the provincial Cabinet meeting in January, and it was decided that the previous Inkosi should be reinstated.

"This is a very sensitive matter. However, the Cabinet decided to reinstate the Inkosi," said Gina.

On Friday, during a stakeholder engagement meeting with Independent Newspapers editors and the editorial and sales team at the Greyville offices in Durban, KZN Premier Thami Ntuli said the Inkosi position is a lifetime position, and as government their hands were tired because the Inkosi spoke for himself that he wants to be reinstated.

"Inkosi is still capable of leading and doesn't even use a walking stick to move around," said the premier.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE