POLICE CALLED AS RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR MTFUSO’S RETURN

KAMKHWELI – Trouble is brewing again at volatile KaMkhweli Chiefdom as the deposed chief is reportedly set to return.

The area, which is known for the infamous mass evictions in the early 2000s, had enjoyed relative peace for the past decade but that tranquillity seems to have come to an end.
Supporters of former Chief Mtfuso Dlamini, who was deposed in the year 2000 and later evicted, are rehabilitating his old residence, which used to serve as the Royal Kraal (umphakatsi).
They are preparing for his return from exile in neighbouring South Africa but his exact return date has been kept secret.

However, their actions have provoked the ire of the substantive traditional authorities in the area.
The chiefdom is currently under the authority of Chief Mshengu, who is a son of the late Prince Maguga, who took over the reins following the eviction of Chief Mtfuso.
Since last week, Siphofaneni police have been keeping a close watch on Mtfuso’s supporters, who have been frequenting the old umphakatsi in numbers.
Last Thursday, police prevented Mtfuso’s supporters from carrying out renovations and clearing the yard of the old umphakatsi.

“Police told us that they were maintaining peace. However, they did not explain why they were preventing us from cleaning the old umphakatsi because we had not attacked anyone,” said one of the supporters of the deposed chief. Leaders of the faction that supports the deposed chief sought an audience with Lubombo Regional Administrator (RA), Sylvia Mthethwa last Thursday but she was reportedly not in her office.

As such, they resolved to continue with renovations of the old umphakatsi. Yesterday morning, they convened at the old umphakatsi and began clearing the yard under the watchful eye of the police. One of the leaders explained their intentions: “We are preparing for his (Chief Mtfuso) return, which is imminent. When he returns, we will have a brief chat with him before taking him to His Majesty the King. The reason we are renovating his old residence is that we want him to sleep here on the night before he travels to meet the country’s authorities.”

Authorities

He alleged that traditional authorities of the country had agreed to meet the deposed chief hence, as his supporters, they were confident that he would be reinstated to his position.
“It would be an understatement to say we do not recognise the current chief, we don’t know him. To us, he doesn’t exist,” said one supporter of Mtfuso.
When sough for comment, acting Ludzidzini Governor, Chief Lusendvo Fakudze said they were not aware of Mtfuso’s imminent return to KaMkhweli.

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