Former Vhavenda monarch Toni Mphephu Ramabulana has asserted that it is his prerogative to ascend to the throne of the Vhavenda kingdom.
Toni, while testifying at the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo, said his ascension would be in accordance with the established lineage of their traditional bloodlines.
The former indumi, or right-hand man, to the king, is currently facing a challenge to the throne from Princess Masindi Mphephu Ramabulana, the daughter of his late brother, King Dimbanyika Mphephu.
Vhavenda custom
During cross-examination led by his attorney, advocate Shoni Ravele, Toni stated: “Initially, upon the king’s demise, the positions of indumi and other roles are rendered void to facilitate the succession process, whereby the successor is obligated to appoint new indumis, aunties, and so forth.”
“The same principle applies to us who were designated as ndumi and aunties; everything was reverted, and we resumed our roles as prince and princess.
“Consequently, I am the rightful individual to ascend to the throne, given my familial lineage as the brother of the late king.”
He added that: “The customs of the Vhavenda do not preclude a king’s right-hand man from ascending to the throne, and there exists no stipulation that disqualifies a ndumi from becoming king.
“However, the procedure necessitates a reversal, after which new candidates will be selected from among the other princes, with due consideration given to the next house or family in the lineage.”
Late king died in car accident
The Vhavenda have been without a king since 2017, when Masindi successfully contested her uncle (Toni) in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
Consequently, Toni was mandated to relinquish his position.
Masindi asserts her entitlement to the throne as the first-born progeny of the late king, Dimbanyika Mphephu, who perished in a tragic car accident in 1997.
She initially presented her case before the judiciary, encompassing the Thohoyandou High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal, with the aspiration of usurping the current monarch.
Her supporters, including gender activists and some members of the royal family, argue that her exclusion is discriminatory and a violation of her birthright.
