By Bronwynne Jooste
Staff Reporter
Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu has slammed a city man's claims that he has been anointed as the new Xhosa king in the Western Cape.
Sigcawu held a media conference yesterday to state his case, at which he accused Michael Fadana of confusing people with claims that he was the new king in the province.
King Sigcawu said he also met the provincial department of sports, arts and culture about the matter.
At yesterday's media briefing, Prince Xhanti Sigcawu, another member of the Xhosa royal family, added his voice to the controversy, saying King Sigcawu was the only Xhosa king in the country.
They slammed Fadana for his claims that he was related to another Xhosa chief, charging that he was using people's belief that he was a king for his own enrichment.
The royal family first heard reports of Fadana's claims a few months ago, but it is understood that he was now claiming he had been anointed as king at a ceremony two weeks ago.
"Based on his lineage, His Majesty King Zwelonke is the only Xhosa king.
"There is no Xhosa chief residing in this province," said Prince Sigcawu.
There was a representative in the province, Sandi Manxiwa, who interacted with the community on behalf of the king, he said.
"He (Manxiwa) is the eyes and ears of the king. He will take the messages from the community to the king. This is the only mouthpiece for the king in this province.
"Gone are the days where people make claims which are confusing.
"Never again will our people allow someone like Fadana to make claims with no base," the prince said.
During their meeting with arts and culture MEC Sakkie Jenner, he said, they were told that people had asked the department about whether Fadana was the new king.
They advised the department to refer all those who claimed to be of royal family descent to the Nqadu Royal Palace in the Eastern Cape.
"We will tell them who is a chief or not a chief. We must work hand in hand with this province."
Prince Sigcawu said they were urging President Jacob Zuma to enforce the recommendations of the Nhlapo Commission, which assesses traditional leadership.
The Nhlapo Commission on Traditional Leadership Disputes and Claims was appointed by former president Thabo Mbeki in 2003 to investigate chieftainship and royal disputes in the country.
The Xhosa Royal Council said they had attempted to meet Fadana.
"We have been calling Fadana, but he doesn't want to meet with us. So the king decided to deal with this publicly. Fadana is a fake, what he is doing is unacceptable ... But action will be taken to put him where he belongs."
However, Prince Sigcawu said they were not looking into legal action at this stage.
Fadana could not be reached for comment yesterday.