The AmaMpondo Royal House has firmly rejected Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s recognition of Prince Dumelani Daluxolo Sigcau as the acting king of AmaMpondo. The premier’s announcement follows a protracted dispute over the rightful royal house to appoint a successor to the late King Zanozuko Sigcau, who passed away in 2022. 

Prince Mthetho Hlamandana, speaking for the AmaFaku royal house, asserted that the recognition was misplaced, as they believe their house is the legitimate one to appoint a new monarch. He argued that the late King Zanozuko was elected by the amaFaku royal family and placed at Mzindlovu in accordance with traditional practice. 

“Zanozuko is from Ndimakude, the king’s throne is from Mzindlovu. King Zanozuko was elected by Amafaku royal family. They took him from Ndimakude and placed him at Mzindlovu in 2011 to represent the kingdom. According to our tradition, a person from another house can be elected as a king if the current house does not have a successor. We knew from the beginning that if the organ of government followed the right steps, they would know that the Amafaku royal family was the one that elected the late king Zanozuko and they will elect the next king,” said Prince Hlamandana. 

However, Premier Mabuyane defended his decision, stating that it was guided by the Constitutional Court judgment and legal counsel. 

“We waited until the Constitutional Court passed its judgment and the senior council advised us as government to say, this judgment must be understood in this context… which simply means the correct royal family is the royal family that installed the former king. So, we simply went back on the submissions that were made on the acting king because the law compels us to take the name from the royal family, not anywhere else,” said Mabuyane. 

Prince Nzululwazi Sigcau of the AmaMpondo royal house expressed strong opposition to the premier’s involvement.

“We can’t accept a situation whereby our matters, especially an appointment of such magnitude, are carried out by the Premier who is not even part of our royal family. We cannot allow the Premier of the province to dictate to us as the children of King Marhelana, the great son of King Sigcau.” 

[WATCH] The AmaMpondo Royal House has rejected the Eastern Cape Premier’s decision to recognise Prince Dumelani Daluxolo Sigcau as the acting king of amaMpondo. Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s decision comes amid the dispute over the legitimate royal house to appoint a successor to King… pic.twitter.com/xD5ZusFcXd

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 12, 2025