Times Of Swaziland: JUDGE MAJAHENKHABA, 3 OTHERS ACCUSED OF CAUSING INSTABILITY

JUDGE MAJAHENKHABA, 3 OTHERS ACCUSED OF CAUSING INSTABILITY
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Ntombi Mhlongo on 17/02/2020 08:30:00


MBABANE - Supreme Court Judge Majahenkhaba Dlamini and three others are accused
of causing instability at Nkhaba that may lead to bloodshed.
A faction  that consists of ETVA Chief Executive Officer Bongani
Sigcokosiyancinca Dlamini, Indvuna Vusi Petros Kunene and Gwajumbe Hezekiel
Dlamini  has since taken Judge Majehenkhaba,  Palestine Jonga (nee Dlamini),
Thumbumuzi Dlamini and Absalom Shabangu to court. Nkhaba is the home area for
both the judge and the ETVA boss. In the court papers, the judge has been cited
as an adult male of Nkhaba and his position is also mentioned. The bone of
contention emanates from a chieftaincy dispute in the area that has been
dragging for some years.   The faction that consists of ‘S’gcoko’ claims
that a family council unanimously agreed to designate Mandla Napoleon Dlamini as
the Chief while the judge’s group wants Mbuso Dlamini.
Warriors
It is alleged that the Judge Majahenkhaba-led faction has followers comprising
of men called libutfo (warriors) and women. According to Indvuna Kunene, the
warriors were a risk and potential danger to the peace and stability not only to
the chiefdom, but also to the entire nation, which is otherwise known for peace
and stability. “On or about January 26, 2020, while our inner council, through
a standing practice introduced by the acting chief, that each and every year we
start the year with a prayer, the respondents came to the prayer session at or
around the cattle byre to disrupt the prayer meeting,” submitted Indvuna
Kunene. He alleged that the judge and the three others came with a contingent of
10 to 12 men and women to the prayer service that was held outside the cattle
byre.
Disrupt
Kunene, who holds himself as the rightful Indvuna of the area, alleged that the
judge and his cohort had on three occasions forced their way into the chief’s
residence to disrupt and/or hold meetings in full view of people who had
restrained themselves from a possible bloody confrontation. “On October 12,
2019, the respondents came leading a contingent of their followers  and
bulldozed their way into the chief’s residence cattle byre despite the inner
council and my resistance. They slaughtered a cow, got Mbuso Dlamini shown to
the people as chief designate and performed installation traditions in full view
of everyone.