The battle for the Vhavenda kingship throne has been adjourned to Monday next week in the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo.

A senior traditional leader has told the High Court that he is not biased towards Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana in the ongoing battle for the Vhavenda kingship throne.

Nndweleni Mashamba of Mashamba Traditional Council, who is a former member of the Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders executive council, has stressed that chieftaincy disputes presented to the body are treated without prejudice.

Chief Mashamba is one of over 20 senior traditional leaders within the Vhavenda nation. His traditional council pledges allegiance to the Vhavenda kingship throne, which is now vacant amid a protracted legal battle between former king Toni Mphephu Ramabulana and his niece, Princess Masindi Mphehu.

Mashamba says during his time as a member of the then Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders executive council, they did not take sides during chieftaincy dispute resolution processes.

“We look at both sides of the dispute, and we would send Chiefs who understand that particular culture and customs of those people. Today I am not here testifying in favour of Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, I am just here to answer questions about the Vhavenda culture.”

Mashamba has also added that, according to his knowledge of the Vhavenda customs, a sitting king cannot identify his successor.

In June 2024, a witness testifying on the side of Masindi Mphephu, Takalani Rakgogo, told the court that the late King Patrick Mphephu selected a Dzekiso wife for Masindi’s father, King Dimbanyika Mphephu.

“My father died in 1980; he did not know I would ascend the throne that I assumed in 1986, he did not even marry a dzekiso wife for me, it is not in the Vhavenda culture. It is the work of the king’s sister,” Nndweleni Mphephu explains.

Earlier, King Patrick Mphephu’s daughter, Princess Angela Mphephu, told the court that she did not know who Takalani Rakgogo is.

Princess Angela Mphephu says, ” I said it before and I am saying it again, ‘I don’t know who Takalani Rakgogo is’. Even though I did not grow up in my father’s palace, my father told me everything.”

Judge President George Phatudi said Mashamba will continue with his testimony when the court resumes on Monday.

“You are requested to be back here on Monday, 29 September 2025. So this matter continues at 10 o’clock … thereafter counsel will be heard,” adds Judge Phatudi.