Court stops Chief Zwide’s installation

NHLANGANO-The much anticipated installation ceremony of Chief Zwide of Ezikhotheni at Mhlosheni has been stopped by the court.

The installation ceremony normally referred to as ‘sibhimbi’ was expected to take place this weekend starting today until Sunday.
Dancing of ‘sibhimbi’ happens when a chief is formally installed as the rightful person to head that particular chiefdom and is formally introduced to the subjects.

Nhlangano Senior Magistrate Peter Simelane was presiding over the case, while lawyer Melusi Simelane represented Chief Zwide Nxumalo (applicant) and the respondents (Bernard Nxumalo and others) were represented by lawyer Titus Mlangeni.

Chief Zwide had taken Bernard and the others to court restraining them from attending the dancing ceremony over the weekend. Initially, Bernard had been the acting chief since 1995 after the death of chief Mlokotfwa until 2002 when Chief Zwide was unveiled ‘bamphakamisa’ while still a pupil at Mhlatane High School.
It is alleged that soon after the unveiling of Chief Zwide, Bernard’s committee was disbanded allegedly by the chief, hence the fall out.