The Mnisi Tribal Authority has started talks regarding the chieftaincy, raising worries that their decision could spark a succession dispute similar to the one that plagued the royal family a few years ago.
The assassination of chief Clyde Magwagwaza Mnisi last month has brought into sharp focus the succession standoffs that often tormented the Mnisi house in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, after the death of his father Hosi Phillip Mnisi in 2013.
Phillip’s death led to a feud over the throne between his two sons – Clyde and his brother Eric.
A member of the family who asked not to be named told Sowetan that there had been informal succession talks among members of the family and among the contestants, led by Eric, who lost a chance to lead over 11 villages in Bushbuckridge in October last year, before Clyde was installed.
“The chief’s murder has brought lots of tension in the family and it has revived the old family feud regarding the rightful heir to the throne. The late chief, Clyde had children who might be interested in taking over their father’s seat and there is also Eric, who still feels aggrieved, having lost out to Clyde last year.
“The family has not had an official meeting to discuss the succession but relatives are talking in small groups on who should take over,” said the family member.
Clyde, who was due to stand trial on fraud, corruption and rhino poaching, was killed in an apparent hit on March 26 on the road leading to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, outside White River.
He had been travelling with his driver when their car broke down on the side of the road.
They had been waiting for assistance when gunmen ambushed them, killing him instantly and injuring the driver.
Clyde’s wife Charlene Felicity Mathews was killed execution style in the couple’s home in Culcatta, Bushbuckridge, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
This has left the family living in fear.
According to a family member, Clyde presided over five traditional houses – Manyuleti, Mahlwehlweni, Mabane, Dzombo and Sihlabangwane – and a final decision on who should be the next chief will be decided by all of them.
“Beyond Eric and Clyde’s children, anyone from the other house can be installed as the chief and the way that he [Clyde] died has caused some fears,” said the family member.
Kgosi Mathibela Mokoena, the leader of the Congress of Traditional Leaders, said he was aware of the historical feuds in the Mnisi royal household.
“I thought these things were ironed out after the death of Clyde because we as traditional leaders in the province had to get involved when he and his uncle, Eric, were squabbling over the throne. We thought we had resolved the issues but now I’m told there are tensions again. We will get involved again should the family need us,” said Mokoena.
The trial against the late Clyde and his co-accused – Claude Lubisi, Joseph Nyalunga, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana – is expected to start in the Mpumalanga high court on April 17.
Clyde’s other co-accused Petrus Mabuza and Hawks investigator Lt-Col Leroy Bruwer, who worked on the case, were killed in hits in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Bruwer’s murder case had been postponed several times after key witnesses became unavailable out of fear.
National Prosecuting Authority Mpumalanga spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said: “All the accused played important roles, that is why they are charged with racketeering as two of the counts (count 1 and 2). We would have loved to see all the accused standing trial but the death of some does not affect the state’s case in respect of any of the charges, especially in light of the fact that they are also charged with racketeering.”
Nyuswa said Mathews was not a witness in the case.
sifilel@sowetan.co.za
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