The ongoing dispute over the rightful heir to the kingship of amaMpondo aseQaukeni in the Eastern Cape, was again before the Constitutional Court yesterday, says TimesLIVE. In 2013, the court set aside the notices that former President Jacob Zuma made in the Government Gazette recognising the kingship of Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Sigcau in 2010 and dismissing that of the incumbent Mpondombini Sigcau.

It was expected that the court's decision would put an end to the question of kingship which has been in dispute since 1937 when King Mandlonke died. However, Mpondombini Sigcau died three months before the court judgment and his family adopted the position that the Constitutional Court had vindicated Sigcau's claim to the kingship, and nominated his daughter Wezizwe Feziwe Sigcau as the queen.

The Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Zuma, however, approached the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) seeking an order declaring that Wezizwe Sigcau had no right to claim the position of the queen of amaMpondo aseQaukeni.

The Minister and the President said the law did not require the President to consult the royal family to identify the king. The High Court agreed with the President's definition of the law.

Wezizwe Sigcau's application to the SCA was also dismissed last year and she presented her case to the Constitutional Court yesterday. The matter is being opposed.

Full TimesLIVE report