The Hlubi tribe, whose leader wants to be declared a king with the same status as Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, has vowed to persist with its claim, saying that the move poses no threat to the Zulu kingdom as they have never been part of it.
Musawenkosi Hadebe, of the Hlubis, who are scattered around the Drakensberg, is one of 11 chiefs who have filed claims with the government-appointed Nhlapo Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims to be declared kings.
The chiefs' claims have angered traditional leaders loyal to the Zulu monarch, triggering talk of war.
However, the tribe said on Monday that it would forge ahead with the application to the commission.
Prince Bhekithemba Langalibalele Hadebe, chairman of the Hlubi national working group - which is spearheading the kingship claim - said people should understand that it was not the prerogative of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders or the Zulu royal house to ask claimants for kingship to explain the basis for their claims.
"They have no jurisdiction to make pronouncements on the legitimacy of such claims. This is, by law, the sole prerogative and responsibility of the Nhlapo Commission. The commission's public hearings are the only place where anyone who has any input/questions/ objections can go to make such," Hadebe said.
He added that the Hlubi had no interest in disturbing the peace in KwaZulu-Natal, as their claim posed no threat to the Zulu monarchy.
"We have never been part of the Zulu monarchy. It is also important to note that our claim is not new. This matter dates as far back as 1848 during the era of King Mpande, followed by several legal interventions with the government of South Africa and the leadership of the homeland of KwaZulu in the 1970s.
"Our submission was made to the Nhlapo Commission in 2005, followed by public hearings held at Estcourt on June 19 and 20 2006. As such, we are surprised at the sudden excitement," he said.
Hadebe said he understood that Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Zwelithini had been invited to the hearings, but had not attended.
"We are thus very concerned about attempts to politicise our claim and incite the public against the Hlubi people and their leader. We have fought and now we live in a South Africa that guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of association. We therefore do not take kindly to statements aimed at pressuring us into submission and silence.
"An urgent meeting has been requested with Prince Buthelezi in his capacity as the Chairperson of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders, in an attempt to gain an understanding of the basis of their concerns and iron out any misunderstandings. We still await a response in this regard," said Hadebe.