GUNSHOTS FIRED, CARS VANDALISED IN NGCINA CHIEFTAINCY ROW

SITEKI – Four gunshots were supposedly aimed and fired at Musa Dlamini with his family and well-wishers, while they held a vigil leading to his introduction as the chief of Ngcina.

This happened around midnight on Friday. Leading to the incident, two factions had been at loggerheads at Ngcina on who to succeed Chief Mphini. This resulted in the matter being taken to the Ludzidzini Royal Council whereupon something out of the norm happened, according to Ludzidzini Royal Council Chairman Chief Mdlaka Gamedze. This was when the Ngcina Umphakatsi faction led by Moses Dlamini walked out of the meeting with the Ludzidzini Royal Council, indicating that they were opposing the introduction of Sibambiso as the chief candidate of the area. Sibambiso is the late Chief Mphini’s grandson, born by the chief’s firstborn Vusi, who died after having been earmarked to be the successor of his father as chief.

Subsequent to this development, both factions were preparing for the introduction of both candidates to the community of Ngcina. As the faction supporting Musa prepared for his introduction, it was gathered that they held a vigil within the compound of the royal kraal. At around midnight, it was gathered that a group of about 30 people were heard talking as they walked into the compound. It was said those who were seated near a fire in anticipation of Musa’s introduction, dismissed them to be drunkards and continued with their business.
However, within minutes, the so-called drunkards started pelting stones at the people in the compound. Among the people who were seated around the fire was Musa.

He said one of the people shielded him from the stones that were hailed at them. However, in the manner the stones were hurled at them, they all ended up leaving the fire and running in all directions. As they did so, Musa said he heard voices saying unpalatable words. At that instance, Musa said he heard gunshots and supposed they were targeting him, given the utterances leading to them being fired. Luckily enough, he said, the fired shots missed him as he ran and hid in a nearby forest. While in hiding, he said they reported the matter to the police, who, however, showed up at the royal kraal on Saturday.

He said when the police arrived, they showed them the two cartridges and live rounds that were within the compound of the royal kraal. “They have opened a case on my behalf as these people were specific that they wanted to end my life,” Musa said. His assertions were further supported by his daughter, Tricia. She said the perpetrators of the violence drove into the premises of the main home and found family members and relatives seated around fire while roasting meat. Tricia said the mob fired gunshots and further pelted stones at the family members and relatives when they arrived and shouted that they wanted her father dead. She alleged that the mob further vandalised cars found parked at the premises and three family members sustained injuries when they were pelted with stones. “One was injured on the knee and some were assaulted while running away from the mob. It was a scary sight and we were told police were handling investigations leading to this circumstance,” Tricia said.

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Also, Ngcina Umphakatsi Inner Council (Bandla Ncane) Member Sikelela Mohale, said about two live rounds and a cartridge were found outside the gate of the chiefdom. Mohale said eight men at the gate were manning security given that there were threats of burning the royal kraal. He said the mob came and violently entered the chiefdom’s gate being followed by a sedan. He said they had suspects in mind and as such, the matter had been reported to the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police William Tsitsibala Dlamini. “After the threats, a police officer who is currently on leave and resident assisted the chiefdom with security on the night with community police members of the area. However, the mob outnumbered us and we managed to whisk Musa Dlamini to safety with the assistance of the police officer as they wanted him dead,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, the function to introduce Musa to the community proceeded as he was given a new name – Jingizibovu, after being officially introduced to the Ngcina community. Musa said after the violent incident preceding his introduction to the community, the ceremony went ahead on Saturday without any challenges. An effort to get the faction that had submitted Sibambiso as a candidate proved futile. Indvuna of Ngcina, Titi Abraham Magagula, requested not to engage in issues of the royal kraal with the media. He said such issues should be discussed within the compounds of the royal kraal.

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