The traditional leader in oFafa in Ixopo Inkosi Vela Dalicebo Ndlovu is accused of co-habiting with a girlfriend at her family's home and abandoning his duties. Ndlovu also faces allegations of drug abuse and pawning the traditional council's official stamp to fund his drug habit.
Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO Independent Newspapers
Izinduna from oFafa in Ixopo say they are deeply frustrated by allegations that Inkosi Vela Dalicebo Ndlovu, 35, has abandoned his duties as traditional leader amid claims of drug abuse and controversial personal conduct that they say has brought the traditional authority into disrepute.
Several izinduna who spoke to Independent Media on condition of anonymity said their patience with the Inkosi has run out.
They allege that Ndlovu has been living at his girlfriend’s family home for an extended period instead of at the traditional leader’s residence, a situation they say is culturally unacceptable and damaging to the dignity of the chieftaincy.
One induna described the situation as “taboo and shameful”.
“What upsets us the most is that it has been a long time since he has been living at his girlfriend’s house. Who would proudly tell the world that his Inkosi is a live-in lover? This is a scandal, and a big one,” said the induna.
Another induna echoed the sentiment, saying the leader’s conduct was unbecoming of someone entrusted with traditional authority.
Among the concerns raised by the izinduna is that the Inkosi allegedly appears unable to properly care for himself and has reportedly been seen on multiple occasions wearing the same clothes.
“It is a great misfortune that someone like this became our Inkosi,” another induna said.
They further claim that the Inkosi’s lifestyle has effectively paralysed the work of the traditional authority, with council meetings and the hearing of community disputes unable to proceed.
The community of oFafa in Ixopo is in turmoil as izinduna accuse Inkosi Vela Cebolenkosi Ndlovu of abandoning his duties due to drug and alcohol abuse. The 35-year-old traditional leader is alleged to have pawned the traditional authority's stamp in exchange for drugs.
Image: Gemini
“Currently there are many cases that cannot proceed because Inkosi does not attend meetings,” said one induna.
According to members of the council, the last time Ndlovu presided over cases at the traditional council was in January last year.
“Since then we have hardly seen him, except occasionally at his girlfriend’s home,” the induna added.
Some izinduna also claim the traditional leader has been seen loitering around the local taxi rank smoking, behaviour they say has eroded public respect for the institution.
“People in the area have lost respect for him,” said the induna.
Concern is also growing among residents of oFafa, some of whom claim the Inkosi appears increasingly preoccupied with alcohol and smoking rather than his leadership responsibilities.
“This is not the kind of leadership we expect,” said one resident.
“Everything has ground to a halt because the person who should be guiding the community seems lost.”
More serious allegations have also surfaced, with some members of the traditional council claiming that the Inkosi pawned the traditional authority’s official stamp in exchange for drugs.
“I asked him where the authority’s stamp was, and he said he had pawned it so that he could smoke,” alleged a council member.
The council is now reportedly trying to retrieve the stamp from a suspected drug den in Ixopo town.
“We discovered that the Inkosi has to repay the full amount he owes before the stamp can be returned,” the council member said.
Inkosi Ndlovu’s paternal aunt, Thokozile Ndlovu, who previously served briefly as regent, acknowledged that her son has struggled with alcohol and drug use.
She said the situation was deeply worrying to her as a parent.
Regarding his living arrangements, she confirmed that the house where he currently stays is not his family home but declined to comment further on the allegations or on claims about delays in traditional council matters.
Attempts to contact Inkosi Ndlovu for comment were unsuccessful, and it is alleged that he recently lost his cellphone.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the department would look into the matter.