The Royal Crown Council has called for the swift resolution of the long-running Ndebele kingship succession dispute through traditional processes after welcoming the withdrawal of the eight-year High Court challenge over the throne.
This follows Prince (Dr) Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo’s decision to withdraw the case from the Bulawayo High Court, a development which the Council said presented an opportunity for the royal family to resolve the matter in accordance with Ndebele customs and traditions.
The Council urged all parties to move quickly in establishing an agreed framework and procedures to guide dialogue and the resolution process, stating early consensus would provide clarity, restore confidence and provide a lasting settlement of the succession dispute.
The Crown Council was one of the defendants cited in case HC657/18 alongside its chairperson, Chief Mathema, the Royal Crown Trust and Bulelani Collen Lobengula Khumalo, whose installation as Ndebele king had been challenged by Zwide Khumalo.
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The legal dispute, which had been before the High Court since 28 February 2018, came to an end on Monday after Zwide Khumalo withdrew the matter before Justice Evangelista Kabasa.
Read:https://cite.org.zw/khumalo-clan-ends-eight-year-legal-battle-over-ndebele-kingship/
The withdrawal from court means the responsibility of who should ultimately be recognised as the Ndebele monarch shifts back to the Khumalo clan and traditional leadership structures.
The Crown Council said it viewed the withdrawal as a positive development capable of opening a new chapter in efforts to resolve the dispute.
“During the proceedings, the plaintiff indicated the issues giving rise to the dispute would now be referred to and resolved by the greater Khumalo Clan in accordance with its established cultural processes. The Council welcomes this development and regards it as a constructive and commendable step towards achieving an amicable, dignified and lasting resolution,” the Council said in its statement.
It said the decision presented an opportunity for all stakeholders to place the interests of the nation above individual positions and work towards restoring unity within the royal family.
“The Royal Crown Council believes this presents a significant opportunity for all concerned to approach the matter in a spirit of unity, mutual respect, reconciliation and collective responsibility. It is our sincere hope every party will embrace this gesture in good faith and commit themselves to resolving the outstanding issues in a manner that preserves the dignity, harmony and cohesion of the nation.”
However, the Council stressed goodwill alone would not be sufficient to resolve the dispute, urging the parties to urgently establish an agreed roadmap for negotiations.
It called on the parties, as a matter of priority, to expeditiously agree on the modalities, framework and procedures that will govern the engagement and resolution process.
The Council said reaching consensus on the process itself would be critical in making sure there was transparency and confidence among all stakeholders.
“Agreeing on a mutually accepted framework at the earliest opportunity will provide clarity, promote confidence among all stakeholders and lay a firm foundation for constructive dialogue and an orderly resolution of the matters in issue,” the Council said.
The Council also urged that once the framework had been agreed upon, the process should move forward without unnecessary delays.
“The process itself must proceed without unnecessary delay and in strict accordance with the applicable customs, traditions, cultural norms and established practices of the nation.”
It said adherence to traditional governance systems would reinforce longstanding principles of consensus-building and peaceful conflict resolution.
“Such an approach will honour and reinforce both the enduring values of consensus and the peaceful resolution of disputes that have long characterised our customary governance systems,” said the Council, which expressed confidence that a lasting settlement remained achievable if all parties approached the discussions with patience and sincerity.
“The Royal Crown Council remains confident that, through wisdom, patience, goodwill and good faith, a resolution can be achieved that safeguards the interests of all concerned, strengthens unity, and contributes to the preservation and advancement of cultural heritage for present and future generations.”
In the legal case, Prince Zwide Khumalo, had maintained he was the rightful heir to the Ndebele throne through the Nyamande royal house.
His application sought a declaratory order recognising him as the lawful heir while challenging the legitimacy of Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo’s identification as king.
With the litigation now concluded, attention turns to the Khumalo clan and traditional leadership structures, whose deliberations are expected to determine the future of the Ndebele monarchy outside the courtroom.
The Crown Council says it hopes this process will be guided not by confrontation, but by dialogue, consensus and respect for long-established Ndebele customs, offering the ‘best chance’ of reaching a lasting resolution to one of the country’s longest-running traditional leadership disputes.
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