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[FILE IMAGE] Former Vhavenda King, Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana testifies in the Polokwane High Court in Limpopo on April 3, 2025.
Disputes over traditional leadership or “muvhango” is a normal practice in the Venda culture. Former Vhavenda King, Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana said this during cross-examination in the legal battle over the throne in the Polokwane High Court, Limpopo.
He was cross-examined by Princess Masindi Mphephu’s lawyer, Allan Dodson.
The VhaVenda throne became vacant after Princess Masindi successfully challenged her uncle, Prince Toni Mphephu-Ramabulana in the Constitutional Court.
Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, who was on the throne for more than two decades before he was removed by the court, took the stand for the second day. He was asked questions about requirements of succession by Advocate Dodson.
During cross-examination, Dodson told Prince Mphephu Ramabulana that some members of the Mphephu Ramabulana royal family don’t agree with discrimination on the basis of gender.
Prince Mphephu Ramabulana said it is normal for members of the royal family to challenge an heir.
“There are some senior members of Mphephu Ramabulana who did not agree with the fact that the applicant fundamental right was being infringed ? Is true I have already indicated that in Tshivenda the chieftaincy is worth for fighting for… David Mphephu and Thompson Muvhango had been becoming a driving force behind supporting you against the applicant.”
Prince Toni Mphephu Ramabulana also testified that the interim committee of the Mphephu royal family appointed him as chief, not as acting chief in 1998.
Advocate Dodson put it to Prince Mphephu Ramabulana that he was appointed as acting chief, two weeks after the death of the late Vhavenda Chief Tshimangadzo Dimbanyika Mphephu.
Dodson said it was done because Princess Masindi was still too young to succeed her late father.
“The interim committee that was led by Charles Mphephu did not appoint me or identify me as an acting chief, they appointed me as chief. Two weeks after Dimbanyika death they appointed you as acting? I don’t know about that. And the reason for that is that at that stage they recognised Masindi entitlement to ascend the throne. I did not see any paper mentioning such as thing.”
Advocate Dodson says Princess Masindi Mphephu was excluded from the Vhavenda throne on the basis of her gender but this has been refuted by Prince Mphephu Ramabulana.
“Masindi had been recognized as the legitimate successor from that point onwards because she was a woman, she excluded Masindi Mphephu was excluded on the basis of the gender very simple? Masindi was not excluded simply because she was a woman, is just because according to the Venda custom and culture she does not qualify.”
Prince Mphephu Ramabulana is expected to conclude his testimony when the matter continues on Friday.
