Modjaji royal accession battle heads to court
The battle for the Modjadji royal throne will be heading to court following the decision of the royal council to nominate the heir apparent’s brother to rule over the Balobedu nation at Khetlhakone Village, outside Modjadjiskloof, in Limpopo.
According to a Pretoria News report, so say Phosa Loots Inc Attorneys, representing Princess Masalanabo Modjadji, who was widely expected to be Balobedu nation’s next rain queen when she turned 18 in two years.
Princess Masalanabo, who was tipped to take over as Queen Modjadji VII once she reached the constitutionally required age limit, is the only daughter of Queen Makobo Modjadji VI, who died in June 2005, aged 27.
The girl was just six months old when her mother died after having ruled for two years – the shortest reign in the history of Balobedu.
The Modjadji Royal Council decided last week to announce her older brother, Prince Lekukela, as heir to the throne following a lengthy squabble between the royal family and ANC MP Mathole Motshekga over the princess’s future.
In a statement titled, ‘Self-proclaimed royal council in the Balobedu Nation challenged by the queenship’ issued by Masalanabo’s attorney, Matthews Phosa, it was stated that court papers to challenge the appointment of Lekukela would be served by the end of the week.
The Modjadji Royal Council, through regent Prince Mpapatla, has defended the ascension of Lekukela to the throne.
He said there were paternity disputes around Masalanabo's parentage, and further argued that Masalanabo was not ready for the throne because she missed sacred processes to prepare her as heir.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
